DID YOU KNOW?

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, May 17, 2009

Two of the greatest early leaders of Kansas were also great rivals.

Charles Robinson was a Massachusetts-born physician who worked as a paid leader of the New England Emigrant Aid Company, the group of people who founded Lawrence. He hadn't been terribly successful in the practice of medicine and became more interested in money and politics, getting caught up first in the California gold rush and land struggles before coming to Kansas.

James H. Lane was a lawyer from Indiana. The head of the Free State movement in Lecompton, his followers were men from Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. He was a leader of pioneers.

Robinson's group was well educated and highly organized. Lane's was scattered and passionate. Robinson was a shrewd businessman, cold, suspicious and calculating. Lane was impulsive, warm-hearted, generous and magnetic. Robinson wanted to establish a free state, but he wanted to get rich in the effort. Lane sought office for the political power it gave him. Robinson made sure that property rights were guaranteed in the state. Lane gave his property for a university.

They worked together to end the Wakarusa War in 1855, then a few months later, Robinson was arrested for treason and tried in Lecompton.

Both men could be both lecherous and lewd, but Kansas needed them. Robinson would become the state's first governor and was one of the best businessmen Kansas ever had. Lane was one of the best politicians.

SOURCE: "A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans" (1918)