County Affairs, Osage County

Scope and content: These letters, spanning the month of June, 1886, are from the residents and offices of Osage County, Kansas regarding the county surveyor to Kansas Governor John Martin. The letters discuss the vacancy of the county surveyor due to the death of J. Evans. Multiple residents endorse candidates such as James Gray and A. B. Powers. Those two candidates also have signed petitions for their appointment. James Gray was appointed and his letter of acceptance is included. Osage County was created as Weller County as one of the first 33 counties created by the Territorial Legislature. The county was named for Senator John Weller of California, a pro slave supporter. Because of his political leanings the county name was changed to Osage for the Indian tribe when the county was organized on February 11, 1859.