Kansapedia

SUBJECT

TOPIC

TIME PERIOD

COUNTY

ALLEN COUNTY

SOUTHEAST

In Allen County, Kansas, both free-state and proslavery individuals lived in relative peace during Kansas Territory. Amid the Civil War, however, the old county seat of Humboldt was attacked and citizens were left without a defense. Through the first 20 years county residents overcame numerous droughts and grasshopper invasions. Major General Frederick Funston, honored for his leadership during the Spanish American War, grew up in the county.

Located in the southeast, Allen County, Kansas, is in the Osage Cuesta region featuring gently rolling plains. One of 33 original counties established in 1855, it was named after William Allen, an Ohio senator and governor.

Years before Kansas was a territory, the U.S. moved native peoples from different tribes in the East to a permanent Indian frontier. The New York and Osage Indians were assigned reservation lands in this area.

Established at the beginning of the Bleeding Kansas era, Allen County was settled by both proslavery and free-state supporters who did not tend to exhibit violence. Yet, early years were not without drama. B. W. Cowden and H. D. Parsons arrived in 1855 and are considered among the earliest setters. They left the area for a short time and returned to find that Missourians had taken over their settlement. With assistance from Little Bear, chief of the Osage, the Missourians were driven back across the border. Another group of settlers that year were vegetarians, who settled near Humboldt. Many of them left after an outbreak of sickness.

Quick Facts

County Established: August 25, 1855

County Organized: May 7, 1856

County Seat: Iola

Courthouse: January 11, 1959

Kansas Region: Southeast

Physiographic Region: Osage Cuestas

Proslavery men founded the town of Cofachique, which was named county seat. Then in 1858 Humboldt was named county seat. Iola finally claimed that title in 1865.

Drought in 1860 preceded the first of several grasshopper invasions over the next 15 years. Grasshoppers returned in 1866-1867, the worst invasion occured in 1874-1875. Most crops were destroyed, but corn prevailed because farmers had time to replant after the insects left in June.

Violence during the Civil War caused concerns to residents in Allen County. Humboldt was sacked in September 1861 when Missouri guerillas, along with some Cherokee and Osage Indians, joined forces and attacked the town. With many men away fighting the war, attackers had greater advantage. When word reached Dr. George A. Miller, who had been absent during the attack, he gathered an infantry and pursued the guerillas. The guerilla leader, Captain Matthews, died in the confrontation. The cavalry guarded the community from another attack for several days before the guerillas returned home. Then Humboldt was attacked once again. Guerillas burned buildings, damaged and destroyed property, and stole animals. One farmer was killed as he attempted to save his mules. But guerillas did allowed women and children to save their valuables. Women convinced the attackers that the army was on the way to help and the attackers fled. Afterward, a military post was established for protection in Humboldt.

Timeline

1855 – County is established on August 25
1856 – County is organized on May 7 with Cofachique as county seat
1858 – Humboldt is named county seat
1857 – First case of Spanish fever in cattle appears
1861 – Humboldt is sacked and burned during Civil War
1865 – Iola is named county seat
1870 – Missouri, Kansas, and Texas Railroad is first established in county
1874-1875 – Grasshoppers devastate crops
1951 – Flooding from the Neosho River caused widespread destruction
1959 – County courthouse is completed on January 11

Richard Redfield formed the Humboldt city band in 1866. The Civil War veteran was a music teacher and operated a music and sewing machine store. With only a population of 200, the city raised $500 to purchase instruments. The town built a bandstand in the public square in 1867, which was replaced in time to celebrate the community’s 50th anniversary in 1908. Built by John Nessell, the octagonal bandstand is still at the center of the community and listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Cities & Towns

Bassett
Elsmore
Gas
Humboldt
Iola
La Harpe
Mildred
Moran
Savonburg

LEARN MORE

Other Allen County properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places include the Allen County Jail. Major General Frederick Funston from Iola received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his role in the Philippines during the Spanish American War. His boyhood home is operated as a museum. Prairie Spirit Trail State Park runs through Allen County. Other people from the county include Randy Stuart, radio, film, and television actress; Johnny Adams, jockey; and Dean Hargrove, television producer, writer, and director.

Walter Johnson of Humboldt gained fame as a pitcher for the Washington Senators. Johnson was the subject of a board game with game pieces showing his image. Made in 1915, fans of the athlete could spin a teetotum that determined their success at bat.