The LHS Newsletter Archive

Volume Twenty-one, Issue Number 4

Originally Published in Lecompton, Kansas : Winter 1995 Digitally Archived August 2006

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SAt!) ~flet~VOL. 21, No.4 WINTER 1995LECOMPTON, KANSAS

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LANE UNIVERSITY

The Rise and Fall of an Antebellum College In Lecompton, KansasBy DeAnn Gerdes Steinle

Lecompton, Kansas is a small town locatedbetween Topeka and Lawrence with a populationof about 500. Among its claims to fame,Lecompton was once the home of a university. AnAntebellum college chartered in 1858, LaneUniversity was a private, church.affiliated school.The institution opened it doors in 1865and at theheight of its existence enrolled more than 500students. Lane University's rich history isamalgamated with the town's historical significanceas the first territorial capitol of Kansas as well as theConfederacy stronghold during the Civil War.

The objective of this paper is to: (1) discuss thehistorical significance of Lecompton and thechartering of Lane university; (2) examine theinfluence of the United Brethren Church; (3)analyze presidents, trustees, and faculty; (4) detailthe structures and environments of the school; (5)look at the curriculum and courses of study offered;(6) describe student life and the societies that werepart of Lane University; and (7) provide theories asto the downfall of Lane University.

It is difficult to imagine that the small town ofLecompton, Kansas, located between Topeka and

Lawrence, was ever the home of a university. In1987its population barely reached 500 , yet in thelate 1890's Lane University claimed to have over500 students enrolled in various courses of study(Hoad, 1939). Existing from 1865until 1902,LaneUniversity is now an important part of the colorfulhistory of Lecompton.

In 1900, Miss Belle Morris described the"...historic little village of Lecompton" iri a statenormal rhetorical, a speech contest for studentsenrolledin teacher preparationcourses(1901, pJ).She talks about looking at the town from "... aneastern slope with the first rays of the early morningsun stealing through the autumn leaves andlighting up the faces of the awaked dwellings..."(190I,pJ). In picturesque detail, Miss Morris notesthe "...stately structure" known as LaneUniversity..."(1901,p.2). Almost a century later, the"historic little village of Lecompton" looksessentially the same on an early fall morning(190I,p.1). Lane University remains as stately astructure as it did when Miss Morris gazed upon it.The difference is that now Lane University is asymbol of"...the enlightenment of humanity andthe maintenance of liberty and union" rather thanan active participant in that process (190I,p.2).

Carefully preservedby a proud historicalsociety,Lane University is now a mu~um of th~JQwn's~university's histories. One cannot wander the hallsof the Lane University building without thinkingabout the inception of the school and its eventualfailure. What personalities and influences havebeen a part of Lane's history? What events lead toits demise?

The Significance of LecomptonOne cannot mention the history of Lane

University In isolation as it derives its significancefrom the town in which it functioned. Lecomptonwould have been the capitol of Kansas had it notbeen for the defeat of the Confederacy during theCivil War. Lecompton was the stronghold of thepro-slavery effort beginning around 1854 whenKansas was a territory and before it was admitted tostatehood. In essence, Lecompton gave meaningto the term "Bloody Kansas" (Abbott, 1935,p.174).

Democratic leader, Stephen A. Douglas,introduced a bill opening statehood to the Kansas-Nebraska territory in January, 1854 (Abbott,I935).Abbott mentions that Douglas' bill contained adangerous element,"... all questions pertaining toslavery in the territories and the new states to beformed therefrom are to be left to the decision ofthe people residing there in"(1935,p.l77) Parties

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from the North and the South respondedimmediately to the bill and soon began organizingexpeditions to Kansas (Territorial Days, 1980).Almost overnight, Lawrence took its place as the"Free State stronghold" and by 1855,Lecomptonwas chosen the permanent territorial capitol(Abbott, 1935,p.180)

After being declared the territorial capitol, Abbottnotes that Lecompton became the pro-slaverystronghold for two reasons: (1) pro-slavery leaders'attraction to the seat of government and (2)Lecompton's proximity to Free State activity inLawrence (1935). Because Congress was alreadycommitted to Lecompton as the territorial capitol, itcontinued to support the town despite its ties tothe Confederacy. As the war waged on,Lecompton grew and began building territorialoffices and great hotels, such as the lovely RowenaHotel, to house officials (Abbott, 1935). Soon apost office was built, a stage-line began operating,and the newspaper The Lecompton Union hit thepress. Abbott explains that from the newspaper"...we may still feel something of the thrill of thatconflict on this remote frontier which was to sweepthe land. Founded, as its fiery editor wrote, in that'hot-bed of Abolitionism," Douglas County, itavowed its purpose to be ever found battling forthe rights 01theSouttLand_Soutbemjnstitutiol'1s..~and it proposed to zealously advocate all honorablemeasures designed to protect and sustain it in theterritory and ultimately have it recognized in theconstitution of the future state of Kansas' (Abbott,1935, p.l88)

To establishpermanenceto this leading city,the United State Congress appropriated $50,000for a state capitol building (Abbott,I935).Immediately a stone foundation and walls for thefirst floor were erected. The population soon grewto over 5,000 and accordingly houses and storesdeveloped to meet the growing demand.

From 1855to approximately 1858,Lecompton wasknown as the "tempest in a teapot" (Territorial Days,1980, p.3). A flurry of activities occurred asprologue to the Civil War including: the Battle of Ft.Titus which happened just outside of Lecom,ptonand the attack of Free State leader James Lane onthe town of Lecompton. It is said the townspeopleof Lecompton used the unfinished shell of thecapitol as a fort when fighting off the brutal attack ofLane (Territorial Days, 1980). Interestingly, one ofthe most significant occurrences during this timehappened not on the battlefield but in the territoriallegislature. The new President of the UnitedStates, Buchanan. called for the constitutional

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conventionto decide the fate of Kansas once andfor all. Heldin Lecompton,Free State supportersrefused to participatein the conventionas theyfeared they were being tricked; hence the pro-slaverysupporters arrivedin force and created aconstitutionupholdingthe institutionof slavery inKansas (Abbott, 1935). Under the influenceofSouthern advisors, Buchanan decided to upholdthe bogus constitution; however, the houserejecteditand itwas sent backto Kansasfora newvote. Bythe timea newvotewas taken,the Northhad sent more men to populatethe area, thus theFree State influencedominated the second vote(Abbott, 1935).

A short lived power, Lecompton eventually lostthe capitol seat to Topeka. In 1861,Kansas wasadmitted to the Union as a free state (Abbott,1935).Abbott explains that Lecompton will always behistoricallysignificantbecause"... its sole claim tofame is that its name is bound up witha lost cause...the story of the brief moment when this littlewestern town touched world-wide conflict at onepoint and then sank back to its old nothingnessagain. is at once a romance and a comment onhuman plans and ambitions, as well, perhaps, as afootnote to history" (1935,p.l76). Perhaps thedramatic story of Lecompton's rise and fall fromgreatness can be seen as a precursor to LaneUniversity'sfate.

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The United Brethren ChurchAbbott reports that as the years went by,

Lecomptonfaded from its gloryas a governmentseat to a quietcountrytown. "Itrecalls,infact, notso muchthe memoryof a frontierpost as that of aNew England villageor a town of the MiddleStates,quiet, secure, with the wild days of its boisterousyouth well behind it and all but forgotten, even byitself"(Abbott,1935,p.202). This quiet setting likelyallowed the United Brethren Church to gain astronghold in the town. Hoad says that the UnitedBrethren Church was the oldest and strongestdenomination in the state (1939). Hoad goes on toexplain that the "...Catholic, Methodist,Presbyterian, and Episcopal organizations inLecompton had disintegrated with the downfall ofthe town's politicalfortunes, and what was left oftheir congregations had gradually merged themselves with the United Brethren Church" .1939,p.61)

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The United Brethren Kansas Conference reportdetailing the years 1857 to 1882, explains that Wm.A.Cardwell, a missionary of the church, summonedSolomonWeaver to investigateLecomptonas a

possible college during the early part of 1864(Cook,1942). It is said that Cardwell and thecongregation had been hoping and planning for acollege for many years and had already acquired acharter in 1858 (Territorial Days, 1980). WhenWeaver, a United Brethren college president,investigated Lecompton he deemed it a suitablelocation (Cook,I942). Ms. Julia Kerns, a young ladywho made the trip to Lecompton with Weaver andhis family, explained that Lecompton was chosenprimarily"...because of the many empty buildingsthere"(Cook, 1942, pAl). These abandonedbuildingswerethose whichhad housedlegislatorsandpro-slaveryleadersduringLecompton'stimeasterritorialcapitol.

Fromthe onset, religionwas the mainstay ofLane University. Holter emphasizesthe role thatreligionplayed in the everydaylife of studentsas"...the college had scripture reading,singing,andprayer in its daily chapel,which all studentswererequiredto attend. Studentswere also requiredtoattend the school's Sunday church services..."(1969, p.92). Undoubtedly, the small townatmospherewas a selling pointfor the religiousfounding of this university. An article from late1890's explains the correlation between themoral/religiousdevelopmentand a small town life:"Themoralaswellas thementaltrainingof studentsis lookedafterandno betterplacecouldhavebeenselectedthan this quiet little city which is entirelywithout the many temptations usually found incollegetowns"("LaneUniversity,"1989,p.297)

Founding Lane UniversityAmong the many things needed to start a

college, two were clearly immediate concerns: (1)an operating budget, and (2) a building. Thegreatest irony in the case of Lane Universityconcerns the procurement of an operating budget.A state-wide campaign was conducted for funds tostart an institution of higher learning (Hoad, 1939). Itwas decided the school would be named for thelargest contributor, in this case Senator James H.Lane (Hoad,I939: Territorial Day, 1980). Asmentioned earlier, Lane was the leader of the FreeState movement during the days of "BloodyKansas."

It seemed like the very irony that this distinctionshould fall to one James H. Lane,the most ori-ginal, perhapsthe mosterratic among all thatgroup of strong personalitiesthat figured in ear-ly Kansasaffairs..He had led the armyof humil-iation against Lecompton in the troubled years

of the town's early history. He finally became

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r the HonorableJames H. Lane, UnitedStatesSenator from Kansas,but in Lecompton he wasalwaysJim Lane. Evenafter Lane had laid downthe sword and assumedthe toga his fiery eloq-uence never won him many followers there, andthere was perhaps no town in the State wherethe sight of his calfskinvest was less welcome.But a thousand dollars was a thousand, and theschool began and ended its career as LaneUniversity.(Hoad,1939,p.61,pJ)

Other sources report Lane's contribution at$2,000 (Cook, 1942). Cook says that a donation ofthis size allowed the school to "...open withoutfinancial embarrassments" (Cook, 1942,p. 42).

Wrth Solomon Weaver as president, LaneUniversity opened on the second Wednesday ofMarch 1865(HiII,1888).With its strong religiousaffiliation, the institution's mission was to educatethe ministry and the laity of the United BrethrenChurch while meeting the educational demands ofthe age (Cook, 1942).

The Rowena Hotel, which had lost businesssince the political downfall of the town, was sold toLane University as its first building. Onceconsidered the "...most lavish hotel west of theMissouri River," the Rowena was a fine building forthis new institution (Territorial Days, 1980, pJ6) Thehotel was made of stone and had three storiesabove the basement (Hoad, 1939). Classeswereheld in the large parlors and dining roomsthroughout the building and the library, president'soffice, and faculty room were contained in the hoteloffice. The third floor of the Rowena was used toboard students (Territorial Days, 1980). Sixty-fivestudents were in attendance during the first term,which lasted only three months (Holter, 1969;Hill,1888)

A New Structure with Old TraditionSoon after Lane University's opening in 1865,

the State of Kansas deeded over the remains ofthe old capitol building along with thirteen acres tothe newly founded college (Cook, 1942:TerritorialDays, 1980). The foundation for three of thecapitol's wings had been laid and the center sectionhad been completed to the top of the first storywindows in 1857,whenthe projectwas abandoned.As mentioned previously, it was in this shell thatcitizens of the town defended themselves againstJames Lane's attack in 1856. The Daily Tribune, aLawrence newspaper, reported in 1882 that the"...old territorial capitol, on which the generalgovernment expended fifty thousand dollars, haslain for years as unsightly ruin"("Dedication of Lane

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University," p.1).Nearly seventeen years passed before the

trustees of Lane could raise enough money tocomplete the structure for the purpose ofbecoming the main campus building. In the end, itwas the citizens of Lecompton who financed thebuilding with help from the United BrethrenChurch. Cook reports that 65% of the funds camefrom the people of Lecompton and the students ofLane, whereas only 30% came from the UnitedBrethren Kansas Conference. By the early 1880's,the United Brethren Church had turned itsattention to the construction of another college inHarlan, Kansas (Cook, 1942). Thus, it was thepeople of Lecompton who "...Felt a deep pride inthe institution and who sacrificed themselves to it inamazing degree...it served to unite the towns-people in a really wonderful manner by giving thema piece of work to do which required their utmostefforts to perform" (Hoad, 1939,p.6I).

It was decided that Lane would be built on thesouth foundation of the old capitol. The work wasdone primarily by townspeople and students andtook nearly a year and a half to complete(Cook,I942) The structure was large enough for200 students and cost around$12,OOO(Anonymous,1882.) Remnants of thecapitol, such as stone pillars and pine floorboards,were used to build Lane (Cook, 1942). "The simplevernacular architecture is highlighted by delicatestone arches over the windows and entry. Aprotruding keystone completes this detail. Thewindows are double-hung sash typical of thetimes..."(Hall, 1979, p. 12-D) A structure suited tothe noble duty of higher education, the buildingstands today in its original splendor.

Dedication of the new building occurred on June21, 1882; the same time, commencementceremonies occurred. The day was described as"gala" and newspapers took interest in contrastingan institution of learning with the defeatedinstitution of slavery (Anonymous, 1882). The pressheralded the dedication speech by the HonorableT. D. Thatcher of Topeka, calling the speech .aclassic"(HalI,1979, 12-A) Thatcher remarked, .couldanything more appropriate mark the vast changewhich has come over the country since the days of'56 and '57? A temple of learning erected uponthe foundations of the old pro-slavery capitol ofKansas"(Hall, 1979, 12-A) Thatcher predictedsuccess and longevity for Lane University.

Presidents, Trustees, and FacultyRecords exist accounting for six presidents of

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Lane University during the years 1865-1902.Interestingly, it is the first and the last presidentswho are mentioned most frequently in articles ofthe time. President Solomon Weaver andPresident Charles M. Brooke were apparently menof high moral character who viewed the presidencyof Lane as a mission rather than a job. SolomonWeaver served one year and was succeeded bythe Rev. David Shuck, who served until 1869,whenProf. N. B. Bartlett, was elected to the presidencyand served in that capacity fourteen years. Inl883the Rev. S. B. Ervin, was elected president andremained at the head of the college until 1887,being succeeded by the Rev. J. A. Weller whoserved four years. In 1891 Rev. C. M. Brooke,waselected president.

Solomon Weaver's obituary appeared in theAugust, 1888 edition of the college newspaper"College Echoes." He was described as an"...active itinerant of the United Brethren Church.."who became president of Iowa Western Collegebefore coming to Kansas and founding LaneUniversity (Hill,1888,p.1). During the first year ofLane's existence, Weaver served' as an instructorand trustee as well as president. The obituarystates that Weaver".. was a man of wonderfulenergy, ~ determinate will, true to his friends andthe cause he advocated. The amount of good heaccomplished in starting Lane University can not beoverestimated. Only eternal can reveal it.»(HiII,1888,p.1)

Charles M. Brooke was an ordained UnitedBrethren minister who served as president of LaneUniversity from 1891to 1902. As well as being areligious man, Brooke is credited for his financialprowess and academic ability. In 1898, theuniversity's finances were said to be increased andthe liabilities decreased ("Lane University,"1898) Itis said that he raised the institution to higherefficiency. Brooke wrote for quarterly reviews andprepared work on the Christian doctrine. In additionto his religious study, Brooks was the secretary ofthe Kansas Association of Colleges and a memberof the State Board of Education during tbe late1890's("Lane University,"1898). These ties withstate educational governing boards undoubtedlyhelped Lane University maintain a prominentposition as a church-affiliated college.

It is interesting to note that the trustees of theschool always included the president of LaneUniversity, the minister of the United BrethrenChurch, and five to seven prominent members ofthe community(Territorial Days,1980). As noted inthe 1976article by Church and Sedlak,"..those men

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responsible for maintaining community interests inother areas would be most capable of doing so inthe case of educational institutions.." (p.97). It isalso interesting to note that several members of thefirst board of trustees are also listed as foundingmembers of Lecompton (Territorial Days, 1980).The first board of trustees were Solomon Weaver,H. M. Greene, Solomon Bower, J. H. Bonebrake, H.D. Healy, D. E. Lawrence, Ebner M. Thorton, D. T.Mitchell and George. W. Zinno

The faculty members of Lane Universitywere saidto be a dedicated and knowledgeable group ofpeople. According to Hoad, the faculty "...yearafter year tithed their incomes and donatedfirewood and supplies for the dormitory, and ingeneral scrapped together every dollar that couldbe spared for the perpetuation and maintenancecofthe school". Instructors were specifically chosenfor their expertise in the course of study they wereto instruct.(Hall, 1979) According to an excerpt in ACyclopedia of State History, "..a regular corps ofinstructors was organized under the state laws,"these laws allowed Lane to be an accreditedKansas college (Blackmar, 1912,p.l03). A briefdescription of individual faculty members in an 1888publication concerning higher education in Kansasincluded the statement "foremost rank amonginstructors of the State" in many of the facultyprofiles ("Lane University," 1898,p. 296).

The Curriculum

Considering that Lane University only employedthree to eleven faculty members during its 37 yearsexistence, it is amazing to think that the collegeoffered nine courses of study (Blackmar,1900);According to Blackmar,"...these courses are fullyabreast of those maintained by the leadingcolleges." The goal of the college was to have acurriculum that "..grows to meet the demands ofthe age." The nine departments of study included:classical, philosophical, scientific, literary, normal,preparatory, commercial, ministerial,music, and art.

Students were placed in an appropriate course ofstudy according to their chosen course for life. Thepreparatory courses of study were designed toprovide students with basic secondary knowledgeprior to beginning a true college curriculum. Thosewho were interested in pursuing a masters ordoctoral degree were assigned to scientific andtechnical courses of study; whereas thoseinterested in applying their skills to jobs of the timewere enrolled in commercial and practical studies.Hall describes the art and music programs at LaneUniversity as being "strong." Music courses were

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offered in piano, organ, violin,guitar, cello, brass,clarinet, band instruments and voice. Studentscould also obtain a Kansas teaching certificateaftercompletinga normal curriculumat Lane University.

Throughout the existence of Lane University,one of the primary missions was religion. Theministerial department sought to educate youngministers and place them in the community. Holterexplains that the college provided free tuition tostudents of any denomination who chose tobecome minister of the United Brethren Church.Charles M. Brooke was one such student whopursued ministerial studies at the college prior tohis career as president.

Student Life and SocietiesThe students were a diverse group of people and

beginning in the early years, they formed thepersonality of Lane University. Cook states that in1865, because the country was new and thepopulation was unsettled, students attendedcollege sporadically. He says that "..in those earlydays students rarely finished the year of school. Athree month term was all that could be spared bymen who were forging a life in the wilderness aswellas gaining a college education.

Eventually Lane University became co-educational, although it was probably intended forthat purpose fromthe beginning. Itis likelythat fewwomen arrived in Kansas until the territory hadbeen settled. Research lends little insight intowomen's education at Lane University other thanwhat is knownof the women's literarysocieties.

Literary SocietiesLane Universityhad fourliterarysocieties:the

Zetagathean and Athenian for men, and theCalliopeanand Zaonian for women (Hoad, 1961)Hoad,a formermemberofthe Zetagatheansociety,explainsthat the literarysocietieswere"..analogsof the fraternityand sororitiesof the larger andricher schools." The literarysocieties were veryunique as they were". .local in character andoutlook,indigenousto the Lanecampus. Andtheywere exactly what their names implied, literarysocieties" (Hoad, 1961p.l)

Apparentlythe societieshad the fullsupportoffacultyand administrationof the school as theywere given special locationsthroughoutthe maincampus buildingfor the purpose of conductingmeetings. On a weekly basis, societies met toconduct format meetings, that in Hoad's opinionwere "..as ceremoniousand formalas a session ofthe State Senate at Topeka" The men's societies

engaged in publicoration and debate, whereas thewomen's societies engaged in musical recitation ina social context. Hoad emphasizes that thewomen's societies, although not engaging inlengthy debate:.. were equally serious inpurpose. ..

Recallingthe formalmeetingsofthe Zetagatheansociety, Hoad discusses that in every meetingthere was a new song by the society'squartetandan invocationby the elected Chaplain. A programprepared in advance announcedthose whowoulddeliver formal papers on a rotation basis.Specifically not on the program was theextemporaneousspeaker of the meetingwhowas".. unexpectedly called to his feet by the Chairman".The last and most importantevent of the eveningwasthe formaldebateon an importantissue,.withaffirmative and negative sides announced inadvance, and followedby a "...free-for-aildebate.."In conclusion Hoad recalls these programs asexcellenttrainingand goes on to say that «..Ihaveheard many a student declare that he got morebenefit from his participationin these LiterarySociety programsthan fromany formalclassroomcourse inschool".

The Eisenhower ConnectionIndirectly,Lane Universityis connected to

former President DwightDavid Eisenhower. During1884-1885,David J. Eisenhower and Ida Stover,students of Lane University, fell in love and weremarried. Certainly the most notable students toattend Lane, Dwight Eisenhower's parents weremarried in Rev. Stover's home who was Ida's uncle,whom she was livingwith.

Although neither David or Ida graduated fromcollege, they stayed long enough to make lastingimpressions on Fred Bartlett, a classmate ofDavid's. Bartlett states that "..Dave came to Laneone of the cockiest kids I ever saw, I was afraid hecould not get in the college building door as hishead was so big". In discussing Ida, Bartlettmentions that she ".. was not pretty or speciallybright, but a finer character never graced LaneUniversity". Concluding his commentary on thecouple, Bartlett states,"..twas the mother and notthe father that gave character to the familyof Daveand Ida Eisenhower". Today, the Eisenhowers'story adds to the interest of Lane University'scolorfulhistory.

Student CostThe administratorsof Lane Universitytook stridesto keep tuition low enough so that studentsof

average or lower incomes could attend. An articlefrom 1898states that "..many students' expensesare only $75 a year and $125 is the maximumamount needed for expenses" (Lane University, p.296 As Church and Sedlak explain, it was not thecost of college expenses that was daunting, butthe sacrifice of a good worker from the family farm orbusiness.

Apparently this sacrific:ewas deemed worthwhileand Lal1e University gradually enjoyed a gain instudent population. As reported earlier, LaneUniversity had 500 students in the late 1890's.Given the support of the community and theincrease of students, the question left to ponder iswhy did Lane University suddenly close in 1902?Several authors have a variety of theories on thisquestions.

The Downfall of Lane UniversityAfter great effort and an ambitious career, Lane

University closed its doors in 1902. CampbellUniversity in Holton, Kansas purchased themovable property of Lane for $17,OOO(Holter,1969).According to a report called the Early History ofLecompton, Kansas and Its Vicinity, officials of theUnited Brethren Church considered Lecomptontoo small for a university center and opted forHolton, a wealthier community. Other theories onthe failure of Lane included: (1) Lack of churchsupport, (2) hard early years and the assumption ofdebt, (3) poor location and a lack of students, and(4) better railroad connections in another moreprosperous community. The following is adiscussion of the four theories.

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Lack of Church supportThe Kansas Conference of the United Brethren

Church established three institutions of higherlearning in Kansas between the years 1857to 1882(Cook,1942). Lane was the second collegefounded after the failed attempt in Fremont,Kansas. The third attempt was in Harlan, Kansas,which was also a failure. Cook explains that theKansas Conference's mission was "..to have aministry and laity educated under the sponsorshipof the Church..". In order for this mission tosucceed, it was important for the church to foundinstitutions of higher learning in several placesthroughout the state.

Lane Universitywas not given much support fromthe United Brethren Church after its initial foundingas is evidenced by Hoad's statement, "..eventuallyit came to be supported by the Lecompton peoplethemselves, who felt a deep pride in the institution

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and who sacrificed themselves to it in amazingdegree". By 188', the Kansas Conference of theUnited Brethren Church had turned its financialattentions to the new college in Harlan, Kansas(Cook,1942).

Funding a private college with nine departmentsof study was certainly not an inexpensive endeavorfor' the citizens of Lecompton, although for 37years they made a valiant effort (Hoad, 1939).Although some citizens, like Frederick M. Brooke,felt that "..we people of Lecompton have gottenout of the rut.." when Lane University closed itsdoors, the majority of townspeople who hadsacrificed and labored for the college's survivalwere disappointed to see it go(Greene,1982).

Lane University relied heavily upon the supportof the citizens of Lecompton, but in order for thesepeople to contribute generously they needed tomake a profit for themselves. As was the case withmost Kansans of this time, many Lecomptoncitizens supported themselves by farming, andthus the school's financial security hinged upon theharvest of crops (Green,1982). Green reports that"..there were hard years, drought andgrasshoppers..". The ailments of the farmersundoubtedly were in direct correlation with Lane'sfinancial status. To keep the doors open, it isprobable that the university borrowed money from avariety of sources. The more years crops failed, themore years Lane borrowed money (Greene, 1982).

Cook explains that "..from beginning to end,debts plagued the efforts of administration.". Hementions a letter to the editor of a United Brethrennewsletter called the Religious Telescope. Thetrustees". .asked aid for Lane University in the formof a one thousand dollar loan at a reasonable rate ofinterest"(Cook, 1942). Although Cook indicatesthat he is unaware of whether or not the loan wasgranted, he mentions that a plea of this sort was notan uncommon occurrence from the college.

Poor Locatlon~LBck of StudentsIronically, one of the major reason for LaneUniversity's founding may have been one its majorreason for failure. Solomon Weaver selectedLecompton as a likely town for a college due to itsmany empty buildings left from former days ofprominent enough community after the Civil War,Lane University could not attract a sufficientstudent populations. Although a smaller town mayhave been an attractive quality for a college, thefinancial realities of the school demanded that alarge student population be present as well as awealthier community to support the college.

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Although there is no known publication tosupport this speculation, Lane University's closeproximity to the University of Kansas was mostassuredly a contributing factor to the school'sdemise.

Better Railroad Connections in a Prosper-out Community

Along with the $17,000paid for Lane's movableproperty, Campbell University also offered a$100,000 endowment contingent upon Lane'srelocation to Holton, Kansas (Hall, 1979). This largeamount of money certainly must have beenenticing to Lane University after struggling throughfinancial difficulty year after year. Officials atCampbell University convinced trustees of Lanethat because Holton was a larger, more prosperouscommunity, the college would thrive in this newtown (Hall, 1979)

Another reason for the move to CampbellUniversity was that Holton was said to have hadbetter railroad connections. Supposedly theseconnections were going to turn Holton into a majormetropolitan area, capable of handling a majoruniversity(Hall,1979). As one thinks of Holton, asmall town northeast of Topeka, it is evident thatthis theory was not accurate. Campbell Universitynever became a major institution, and in fact it wasmoved to Nebraska soon after buying out Lane.

Interestingly, Lecompton was not devoid ofrailroad crossings until 1949. In 1872,the Atchison,Topeka, and Sante Fe Railroad constructed trackson the north side of Lecompton, and as early as1894, trains were passing through the town on adaily basis. It is said that the conductors in thedepot attended to passengers, handled freight,and manned the telegraph. (Territory Days, 1980)Presumably Holton had more railroad connectionsthan Lecompton which accounted for its status as alarger and wealthier community.

Conclusion and SpeculationThere is probably no one reason for the failure of

Lane University. Indeed as is the case of any failedrelationship, Lane University and the town ofLecompton had a number of irreversible problemsduring their 37-year relationship. Although thecombination of problems leading to the failure ofLane University may have been unique, the failureof colleges during this period was very common.Church and Sedlak's article concerning Antebellumcolleges showcases institutions very much likeLane and lends insight into the reason for their

existence and failure. Although not founded until1865,Lane University was already chartered in 1858.Planned well before the conclusion of the Civil War,the mission and objectives for the college were ofthe same philosophical basis as other Antebellumcolleges.

Church and Sedlak simply state that colleges ofthe Antebellum period were overbuilt and thatthere were far more colleges on the frontier thantheir were students to attend. Five major reasonare given for the overbuilding of colleges duringthis period: (1) overoptimistic boosterism, (2)financial profit, (3) culture to prevent barbarism,(4)religious development, and (5) development of themiddle class. Of those five reasons, this writerspeculates that Lane University was foundedspecifically because of three of them: (1)overoptimistic boosterism, (2) Culture to preventbarbarism, and (3) religious development.

The town of Lecompton was a bit of aphenomenon as it became the seat of governmentand a metropolitan area of the times essentiallyovernight. Even after the capitol was relocated toTopeka, it seemed that Lecompton would remain acultural center of the state. It is probably that thefounders of the town along with United BrethrenChurch officials possessed the "booster spirit,.meaning that they hoped to ensure Lecompton'sexistence as a cultural center by founding aninstitution of higher learning (Church & Sedlak,)

The culture that an institution of higher learningcould bring to a community was thought to be a keyto maintaining civilization. Church and Sedlakmention that a popular opinion of the time was that"..a movement away from the old areas ofsettlement and their established ways would bringabout a barbarism, a lack of community, and abreakdown of culture among those who made themove". While the charter for Lane University wasbeing obtained, citizens of Lecompton wereengaging in combat with Free-State loyalists(Abbott, 1935). Undoubtedly these citizensbelieved that barbarism already existed. By thetime Lane University was founded and war wasbeginning to subside, citizens of Lecomptonprobably believed that the institution would raisethe town to a higher level of culture and that thebarbaric acts of war for the reason of upholdingslavery would be behind them.

The founding of Lane University for the reason ofreligious development is the most evident reasonfor its existence. As discussed by Cook, the UnitedBrethren Church was interested in educatingministers and laity in the United Brethren faith and

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in so doing, several institutions of higher learningwere to be founded throughout the state ofKansas. Church and Sedlak mention theimportance of denominational study and worshipover the idea of a generic Christianity during theAntebellum period. - Denominationssought tooverpower one another by founding the greatestnumber of churches and church-related schools.Before founding the Lane University, the UnitedBrethren Church had already been successful inridding Lecompton of other denominations (Hoad,1939). It seems that the founding of an institution ofhigher learning was the ultimate show of power bythis denomination.

Existing longer than the average institutionchartered during the Antebellum period, which inmany cases was a matter of months, LaneUniversity functioned for 37 years. Determinationand sacrifice by those who believed in the collegekept it open during difficult times. Eventually thecollege began to grow, but perhaps it grew beyondthe means of this small community. It is no surprisethat the citizens of Lecompton kept the collegegoing through sheer determination as even todaythis civic pride is the basis for the ongoingexistence of the town's and university's histories.The symbol of this determination is the restoredmain campus building of Lane University. TheNational Register of Historic Places recognizes theuniversity as an example of the commitment madeto higher education by the pioneering generationsof the state (Hall, 1979).

A symbol of "..the enlightenment of humanityand the maintenance of liberty and union"(Morris,lool); these words express the mission ofLane University. Although it is no longer afunctioning college, it is still a place of learning forthose interested in discovering the heritage ofAntebellum colleges in the state of Kansas. Onemight question why Lecompton has an undyingattachment to Lane University. The answer mightbe found in the words of Daniel Webster'sstatement on Dartmouth College, "It is a smallcollege, it is true, but there are those that love it.(Cook, 1942)References:

Abbott, W. C. (1935)Adventures in Reputation, Cam-bridge, Mass. Harvard UniversityPress.Anonymous (1882)Gala Dayfor Lecol1l>ton(UnpublishedDiary.Bartlett, F. O. (1951)Letter by Mr.Fred Bartlettto GeorgeMcCarty. Unpublishedcorrespondence.Blackmar, F. W. (1900) Higher Education in Kansas.Washington D. C.: Washington Government Printing

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Office.Blackmar, F. W. (1912)A Cyclopedia of State History.Chicago: Standard Publishing.Church, R. L. & Sedlak, M. W. 1(1976)The AntebellumCollege and Academy. In Education in the UnitedStates: An Interpretive History (pp.23-51)New York:Free Press.Cook,B. L. (1942)Seedtime and Harvest:A Historyof theKansas Conference of the Church of the UnitedBrethrenin Christ. Unpublished master's thesis. BonebrakeTheological Seminary.Dedicationof Lane University(1882,June). The DailyTribune. p. I.Greene, Z. B. (1982,August15)Learningas a Lure. TheTopeka Capitol Journal, pp. 5C.Hall, C. L. (1979,November). A Landmark Built as aTerritorialCapitol.KawValleyComments, pp.1 12-A& 12-D.Hill, F. B. (1888, August 2, Solomon Weaver. CollegeEchoes. pp. I.History and English Classes of 1932-33. (1933). EarlyHistory of Lecompton, Kansas and its Vicinity.Lecompton, Kansas: Lecompton School District.Hoad, W. C. (1939).Recollections of a KansasTown. InQuarterly Review, Michigan Alumnus. (pp.61-62). AnnArbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Press.Hood, W. C. (1961).Letter by Wil~am Hood to Nyte H.Miller. Unpublished correspondenceHolter, D. W. (1969).Fire on the Prairie: Methodism in theHistory of Kansas. Kansas City: Methodist PublishingHouse.Lane University. (1898). In Kings and Queens of theRange(pp.296-298. Kansas City: Mills..Morris. B. C. (1901January 30). HistoricLecompton. TheCollege Oracle. pp. 1-2.Road Atlas (1987).Chicago: Rand McNallyand Company.Spencer, I. & Walter, S. I(Ed). (1980) Territorial Days.(Available from Lecompton Historical Society,Leco,mpton Kansas

ANNUAL ALUMNI BANQUETThe annual Lecompton High School AlumniBanquetwill be May25,1996. Planto attend.1926Lela BanksWilma GlennNellie Slavens

1936Donald BaughmanWesley CradyRiley GoffMadalyn McClanahanDavid PaslayDorothy SanfordRobert WalterHelen Wymer

Frances DrakeFlorence Grauel

Eugene CollinsLawrence Cree

Elsie KelloggRachel NorwoodLucille Rothwell

Glenn SimmsCecil Welcher

1946Beverly BahnmalerNorma CreeLila HartmanWesley NorwoodPauline Webber

Ralph BanksVernon Chiles

Ann MorrisHelen L. Smith

1956Elsie BahnmaierRichard HamlinEarl KassonJuanita Mae KassonChalice RobuckKaren SanfordJuanita WebberElmer Zeeb

Sharon L. ColeRobert Holloway

Larry MathewsDonald Matney

Orus RobuckMyrna ShanerRichard Wertz

1966Gilbert Bates Denna ConferDianna Confer Walter Delge, Jr.Carolyn Foster Jack HarrisKerry Pierce Rodger RaybernSusan Reynolds Melvin RobuckMartha Russell Carolyn RobertsMarcia Robuck Mary StaufferLarry Sumner Linda Traxler

Connie Twombly

1976Cheryl BendureChet BunceJeff GoodrickDanny HatchPeggy HubertSharon LewisRaymond PattersonTim RothwellKenny SmithSusan ThackerKenny Wulfkuhle

Daria Smith

Joe BidingerBrenda Carr

John HackathornGreg Howard

Tom LeachMary Mathe

Valerie PfefferRhonda Schimmel

Sam SmithYvonne Tunstall

Ed Smith

1986

Michael BlankinshipDarrin DelfelderCynthia GlennShawn HughesJerry Oldham

Dwight CarverEverett DexterHarold Hudson

Angela IceRonald Thacker

MUSEUM DONATIONS

Thanks to the following for their help and donationsto the museum. Your interest and concern isalways appreciated.

1. Arley Leach for helping mow2. Jeff Goodrick for work on the flag poles.3. Monetary contribution from Hazelle Taylor Dyer's

Estate.4. Lecompton High School, church and LaneUniversity memorabilia from Daisy Wingfield'sestate-by Merta Fulton.5. Photo and Constitution Hall dedication program-Iona Spencer.6. Poem-Opal Goodrick "History of ConstitutionHall"7. Photos-Frances Sanford8. Photos-Deloris Golladay9. Proclamation from Mayor of Lecompton JeffGood Goodrick designating Ellen Duncan "Artist ofthe year.10.Pictures and obituaries from Howard McKenzie11. Bible, Books, School programs, ration booksfrom Ruth Rothwell Vervynck.12. Period dresses, coats, hats, ties from KropfEstate-GloriaLeonhard13. Real old newspaper-Bud & Elizabeth CurranBeavers.

LECOMPTON HIGH SCHOOL RESTORED

The city of Lecompton recently received a grantfor $255,000. to complete the restoration of theLecompton High School Building. It includes fundsto restore the auditorium and make the buildinghandicap accessible. All the windows includingthose in the gym and over the doors have beenreplace. It is a thrill to drive by this building whichwas so important to this community and see itstanding proud and tall for all to see and admire.

LECOMPTON HISTORIC BUILDINGS

As we look forward to the completion of theLecompton Turnpike interchange and theimmense name recognition and tourist attraction,this will make Lecompton. It certainly is time to lookback and thank those who have worked to save andrestore our historic buildings.

How easily over the years it would have been towitness the destruction of Constitution Hall, LaneMuseum and Lecompton High School building.But because of the dedication and concern ofindividuals interested in Lecompton and fromacross the United States these buildings will nowbe available for visitors to view.

We also have in the Lecompton United MethodistChurch, a once historic hotel, a restored piano,which is over 100years old and is a piece of art and

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history in its self.As Robert W. Johannsen stated at the dedication

the name Lecompton was a household wordknown to virtually to every informed citizen in thecountry in the late 1850's. Thanks to the work andcontributions from you, once again Lecompton'sname will be placed before the public as a majortourist attraction in Kansas and the nation.r

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Remember our hours are 11 to 4 p.m.Wednesday through Saturday and I to 5p.m. Sundays. Constitution Hall hours are10 to 5 p.m.Wed. through Sat. and I to 5p.m. Sundays. We have been pleasantlysurprised with the number of visitors

. through the week since we extended thehours. We have had a high number ofvisitors from out of state and have sometours as a result of the Treasure of Czarsin Topeka. Pres. Paul Bahnmaier

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P' *** CHRISTMAS VESPERS*-*The annual vespers and reception will be heldDecember 3rd at 2:00 P.M. The programwill be bythe Bell Choir of the First United Methodist Churchof Topeka, Community Singers under the directionof Kim Stewart, Amanda Smith, Sarah Hinrichsen,Kallie Pennel, Wes Cottrel, Frances Sanford, CindyDaniels, Anthony Sayler.

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! EVERYONE IS WELCOME***********************"**************Please Clip and Mail With Your Check***********"*************************

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

Just to remind you that it is time to renew yourmembership for1996.Please try to have it in beforethe 1stof February, 1996.

We now have 686 Ufe and Memorialmembership and 450 due paying members, makinga grand total of I, 136.LIFE MEMBERS:Joan" Jody" McFann ThompsonRobert Orr and Unda Traxler Orr and RicharldTraxler by parents Louis& Marie TraxlerGary L Stauffer and Carolyn Foster StaufferMary Jo MatneyThomas

REGIMENTAL WINTER BALL.

The 8th Kansas Infantry, U.S.A., the FrontierBattery "B", U.S.A. and the Ladies Union AidSociety will hold their annual Regimental Winter BallDance in Lecompton at the Community Hall,February 17,1996at 7:00 p.m.

These CivilWarre-enactors will be dressed in the Civil War period

costumes. The musicans will play Civil War perioddance music. The Community Hall will bedecorated with period flags and decorations. Therewill be from 80 to 100 present from Kansas,Missouri,Nebraskaand Iowa.

The community is invited to watch thisperformance.

THE LECOMPTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Lecompton, Kansas 66050, is a non-profit corporation for thepreservation of historical sites. We are eager for continued membership and new members.

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Dues are $4 per year for individual membership and $6 for a couple's membership. The dues are fromDecember to December. Life membership is $50 per individual, contributions are tax deductible. Checksshould be made payable to the Lecompton Historical Society, and mailed to lona Spencer, 1828E. 100Rd.Lecompton, KS 66050

$4.00 Annual Individual Membership

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$6.00 Annual Couple's Membership

$50.00 Individual Ute or Memorial Membership

Other Contribution $

AddressNAME

City State Zip_____-

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OBITUARIES

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Laverne Wilson died Tues. Aug. 22, 1995. Shewas bom March22, 1909,at Silver Lake, the daugh-ter of Daniel and Libby Prickett Benson. She wasreared by Dave and AnnieJefferies.

She was a member of Wamego UnitedMethodistChurch, the Laclede Extension Homemaker Unitedand the Lecompton HistoricalSociety.

She married George F. Wilsonon April22. 1928,in Topeka. He died in 1979.

Survivors include three sons. Don. Manhattan,Ray, Olathe and Terry, Wamego, three daughters,Doris Weeks Lecompton, Ramona Rischer, Topeka& Sherry Banker, Lawrence. 13grandchildren & 9great grandchildren. Burial in Wamego Citycemetery.Lloyd L. Spencer 82, died Thurs. Aug. 31,1995.He was born Aug. 3, 1913,south of Big Springs, theson of Harley and Cora Shaffer Spencer. He hadco-owned and operated Spencer's Truck line. Heserved withan Armyanti-aircraftgroup during WorldWar II and served in Iceland, Scotland. England,France and Belgium.

He was a member of the Churchof Christat Stull.He was married to Elizabeth "Betty"Sutton, Mar. 18,1948. She survives. A daughter Vickie Spencerdied Jun. 23. 1979.

He is survived by a stepson, Walter Houk, Jr.Lawrence; a stepdaughter, Rebecca HoukAcheson, Shawnee; two brothers, Frank ofLawrence and Ralph. Big Springs, three sisters;Esther Spencer, Topeka, Bethel Worthington,Colo. Sprs. Colo. and Arlene Johnson,Carbondale; and three step grandchildren. BurialinSutton Cemetery west of Baldwin.Edna Lombard 78, died Tues. Oct. 10, 1995 inTopeka. She was born Nov. 10,1916,in Lecompton,the daughter of Alexand Helen O'Brien Anderson.She graduated fro Lecompton R. H. School in 1934.She married Floyd Lombard in 1940 in Perry, hesurvives.

She was a member of the Most Pure Heart ofMaryCatholicChurch.

Other survivors include two brothers, BillyAnder-son, Lawrence and Leo J. Anderson, Olathe. and asister, Teresa Griffin, Manhattan. Burial in St.Peters Catholic Cemetery, Big Springs.Winifred D. Fudge, lovingwife and motherwascalled home on September 26, 1995.She was bornin Lecompton the daughter of Williamand FrancesFleenor Drake, Nov. 9, 1903. She lived in Mesa,Arizona the past25 years. She is survived by herhusband Fred and son WilliamC. Springer.

She was entomed in the Valley of the SunCemetery in Chandler, Arizona.

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President*PaulBahrmaier I-istoOCaJ'Miter*Sara WalterVicePresident* RichtkConneH GenealogicalWriter&Membership* lanaSpencerSecretaJy* MarieTraxler IIkJstrator*EIlenDuncanTreaswer*BettyLeslie TOUIS*01arIeneIMr'terBoardMeI'Tbers*MaxineDark,BruceBeresford Fundirg*MaeHoldermanGeorgeSimrrons, DavidPaslay,RalphDavis,RonMeier Program*MargaretVv\JlfkuhleCurators* MargueriteBowman,OpalGoodrick,DorothyShaner AssistantTreasurer*SherriNeillGeorge&ArtoeneSimmons,David&DarlenePaslay I(Jtchen* HelenHiIcIert>randMerOOershipAss'ts.*Duane&OaothyWUfkLt1le Merror8Is*RuthIce******************************************************************

Forwardingand Address 01ange Requested

PlbI6hed byThe ~on Hstorical SocietyLECOMPTON, KANSAS 66050

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. POSTAGEPAIDPemit No.1

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Const. Hall Hist. % Tim RuesPO Box 198

Lecompton, KS 66050

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