From the collections at the Leavenworth County Historical Society and Museum. Reprinted with permission from The Leavenworth County Historical Society and Museum and the Leavenworth Times. Donated by Debra Graden.

KANSAS--100 YEARS AGO

The weather continues mild, and pleasant for the season. We have cold frosty mornings, with pleasant sunshine through the day. The river continues open, but is very low. Boats continue to run as high as Weston, about eight miles above this place. Some two or three boats are still expected up, but we presume they will be about the last this season. About the first of next March, we may again look for boats this high up, perhaps a little earlier.--December 1, 1854.

Hon. S. D. Lecompte, of Maryland, the Chief Justice of this Territory, who arrived a few days ago, paid us a visit in our sanctum yesterday. He is a noble specimen of a man, and comes here with a high reputation as a lawyer and a man of ability. We welcome him to Kansas, for we know and feel that he official ermine will set gracefully upon him.--December 8, 1854.

Right Rev. Bishop Meige, Catholic Bishop of this Territory, we learn contemplates erecting next summer, in Leavenworth, a Male and Female Academy, Cathedral, and buildings for residence, and intends making this place his headquarters. He has made a judicious choice, for Leavenworth will undoubtedly be the largest city in Kansas Territory.--December 15, 1854.

Messrs. Tutt & Baker, of Weston, have made arrangements for putting a light draught boat, on the Kansas river, on the opening of navigation in the spring. They will have a boat just adapted to the trade. In addition to this, we learn there is another company of five enterprising gentlemen, who intend purchasing a steamer, for the same trade.--December 15, 1854.

We understand from several sources that the Wyandotts, who own a tract of country at the mouth of Kansas (river), have sent on a delegation of their head men, to Washington to make a treaty. It is understood that they desire to do away with their Nationality as Indians, and become citizens of Kansas Territory, and entitled to the privileges of other citizens. The Wyandotts are generally civilized and well informed, and have good farms in cultivation.--December 22, 1854.

The Kansas Pioneer (Kickapoo) says, sixteen Kentuckians came up the river on the Australia, on the 8th inst. and have settled in the Salt Creek Valley, in Kansas Territory. This is only a few miles from Leavenworth, and is a rich and beautiful country. Already many valuable improvements are made in the Salt Creek Valley, and Kentuckians are the very persons to add to its improvement.--December 29, 1854..