By Dr. Ferrell Miller
The JC Breakfast Optimist Club also celebrated optimism on March 23 with guest speaker Gaylynn Childs, retired Executive Director of the Geary County Historical Society. Gaylynn shared information about the Kansas Territorial Capitol, which was used for only five days. “The building was built 165 years ago.
In 1855 communities like Pawnee were established near Fort Riley. Pawnee was built along the Kansas River. A two-story building, which was to be the capitol building of the Kansas Territory was built in May 1855, which would be used by the legislature for meetings. The House of Representatives would be on one floor and the Senate on the other.
Andrew Reeder was appointed by U. S. President Franklin Pierce to be the Governor of the Kansas Territory, thinking he could be manipulated into supporting slavery. Early in his term, Governor Reeder experienced conflict with Missourians who wanted the Kansas Territory to be a slave state. Reeder wanted Kansas to be a free state. The Missourians came to the site of the Capitol armed with weapons and their whiskey to influence the decision. They drove voters from the polls and stuffed the ballot box. There were more votes cast in favor or slavery than there were people eligible to vote.
Governor Reeder declared the voting invalid. The so-called Bogus Legislature adjourned, and the legislature was transferred to Shawnee Mission. This gave rise to the issue of slavery and the beginning of the Civil War.
President Franklin Pierce did not agree with Governor Reeder’s position and the outcome of the meeting at Pawnee. In July of 1855, Reeder was removed from the Governorship and experienced death threats. Andrew Reeder left Kansas.
Secretary of Defense, Jefferson Davis, extended the boundaries of Fort Riley and took over the area where the town of Pawnee had existed. Notice was given to those still living in Pawnee to leave. This was also during and following the cholera epidemic. Soldiers later came and tore down the town, but the Capitol was left standing.
After the Civil War and up to 2014 the building had been restored and maintained for visitors. On April 16, 2022, the building will be open on Saturdays and Sundays for tours.”