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Osage County, Kansas

In the early years of Osage County, then known as Weller County, the county was affected by the political tension occurring in the Kansas Territory. Voter fraud and acts against both free state and proslavery men occurred. Years after the slavery issue was settled, the county experienced years of disputes over the county seat that even resulted in armed men threatening to burn Burlingame.

Osage County, was established as one of the original 1855 counties under the name of Weller County. In 1859, the county was organized, as well as the name changed to Osage, after the river and consequently the Indian tribe of the same name. Osage County was once home to the Sac and Fox Indian tribe, and the Shawnee Indians, although the Sac and Fox had a larger geographical presence within the county. The crossing of the Santa Fe Trail through the county, and the coming of the railroads all contributed to the settlement of the county. The arrival of the Indians in the county and their ultimate removal in the 1870’s were major events in the county and the state.

During the territorial period, Osage County faced problems with voting. When it came time to elect a delegate to the first territorial legislature, Missourians and decided to take control of the polls. They not only appointed their own people, but caused quite a ruckus. The winner was Mobillon Mc Gee, even though he was from Westport, Missouri. By the next morning they were headed back to Missouri. In the summer of 1856, they free state settlers were unable to transport supplies from the Missouri River without the help of armed guards. Free-staters had crimes committed against them during this time, but by 1857, as the population increased the free-staters gained the large majority. That same year, a free-state party came from some ways away and committed many acts against proslavery men. During the Civil War, Osage men fought and even responded to help at the time of Price’s Raid.

The argument over the county seat was one that lasted many years. In 1861, Burlingame had become the county seat. However, as changes in the Indian reservation occurred, a movement came about to change the location. This issue turned into years of elections and the issue became quite nearly deadly. After one election in which Lyndon claimed victory, Burlingame took legal action to prevent the county records from leaving. Eventually, Lyndon people numbering around 400 armed themselves and marched on Burlingame. They were to burn the town if they did not receive the records. The Burlingame residents were not caught off guard as they had filled the courthouse with men, also armed. Before a battle occurred, leaders met and compromise. To save the town from being destroyed by fire, the records were given up. After this occurred, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that Lyndon was the winner. Three years later, in 1878, another election was held. It was very obviously a fraudulent election with way more votes than legal voters, and Lyndon remained county seat. In 1923, a new courthouse was dedicated in Lyndon. The festivities included an address by Charles Curtis. The Osage County Courthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Settlers of Osage County experienced troubles, not just politically in the fight over slavery, but also suffered from a drought in 1860, and invasions of grasshoppers in 1866 and 1874.

The coal industry was once very important to Osage County for decades. Coal mining, railroads, and farming were all significant industries within the county. Coal mining declined as the 20th Century came around, but although not what it once was, it didn’t officially end until the 1960’s. The Santa Fe Railroad was once dependent upon coal mined in Osage County as it was a main source for the fuel they required. Both underground and strip methods of coal mining were done in the county over the years.  

The argument over the county seat was one that lasted many years. In 1861, Burlingame had become the county seat. However, as changes in the Indian reservation occurred, a movement came about to change the location. This issue turned into years of elections and the issue became quite nearly deadly. After one election in which Lyndon claimed victory, Burlingame took legal action to prevent the county records from leaving. Eventually, Lyndon people numbering around 400 armed themselves and marched on Burlingame. They were to burn the town if they did not receive the records. The Burlingame residents were not caught off guard as they had filled the courthouse with men, also armed. Before a battle occurred, leaders were able to meet and compromise. To save the town from being destroyed by fire, the records were given up. After this the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that Lyndon was the winner. Three years later, in 1878, another election was held. It was very obviously a fraudulent election with way more votes than legal voters, and Lyndon remained county seat. In 1923, a new courthouse was dedicated in Lyndon. The festivities included an address by Charles Curtis.

The construction of two federal lakes, Pomona and Melvern, in the county were major factors in the development of tourism and manufacturing, made possible by the fresh water supply and the flood control protection.

Osage County possesses properties on National and State Registers of Historic Places. The Osage City Santa Fe Depot was built around 1911-1912. The Lyndon Carnegie Library, constructed around 1911, was built with the help of the work of Andrew Carnegie and the Carnegie Corporation in the establishment of public libraries. The Havana Stage Station in Burlingame was established in 1858. The town was started by German and French settlers and it was an important stage stop. The stage stop did not last very long, an is believed to have lasted around 11 years. The town of Havana ceased to exist around 1869.

There are interesting figures with connections to Osage County. James W. Winchell, agent for the American Settlement Company, arrived in the county in 1855. He founded Superior, a rival for the county seat with Burlingame. He served as president of the Wyandotte Constitutional Convention. Ida M. Farris organized the first Federated Business Woman’s Club in the United States in Osage City. Dr. Earl Sutherland, a native of Burlingame, was a 1971 Nobel Prize winner for scientific research.

Quick Facts

Date Established: February 11, 1859
Date Organized: 1859
County Seat: Lyndon
Kansas Region: Northeast
Physiographic Region: Osage Cuestas
State Park: Perry State Park and Eisenhower State Park
Courthouse: 1922-1923

Timeline

1855 - Weller County is established
1859 - Weller County becomes Osage County and is organized.
1860 - Coal is discovered, and as a result coal mining would become an important industry in the county for many years.
1923 - Osage County Courthouse is built in Lyndon and the long-lasting dispute over the county seat is settled. 

More on Osage County

Sources

Entry: Osage County, Kansas

Author: Kansas Historical Society

Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.

Date Created: February 2010

Date Modified: August 2023

The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.