A Resolution recognizing James H. Lane and the Lane Trail.
WHEREAS, During the late 1850's the territory of Kansas became known as ``Bleeding
Kansas'' because of the conflicts between proslavery and free-state settlers; and
WHEREAS, The normal emigration routes through the state of Missouri to Kansas
sometimes were obnoxious to free-staters because of the proslavery beliefs held by many
citizens of the state of Missouri; and
WHEREAS, The state of Iowa was a seat of support for free-state settlers wishing to
emigrate to Kansas, with Iowa City being the nucleus of such support and the western
terminus of the railroad at that time; and
WHEREAS, There was need of a safe trail for free-state settlers going to Kansas; and
WHEREAS, In 1856 ``General'' James H. Lane established a route going from Iowa
City to Topeka for the use of free-state settlers. Known as the ``Lane Trail'', it commenced
in Iowa City and went west through Iowa, crossing the Missouri River into Nebraska at
Nebraska City, then south into Kansas. In Kansas the trail passed through Plymouth, Lex-
ington, Powhattan, Netawaka, Holton and Indianola before arriving in Topeka. On ridge
tops the trail was marked with prominent piles of rocks known as ``Lane's Chimneys''; and
WHEREAS, In response to a call circulated widely by the Iowa State Central Com-
mittee for settlers to travel the newly established route, several hundred people, known
widely as Lane's Army, entered Kansas territory on August 7, 1856; and
WHEREAS, The Lane Trail became part of the underground railroad used by John
Brown to transport slaves north to freedom; and
WHEREAS, James H. Lane founded the towns of Plymouth and Lexington and later
became a United States senator for the state of Kansas; and
WHEREAS, Today the Lane Trail is closely approximated by US-75 highway: Now,
therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Kansas: That the Senate recognizes the
importance of James H. Lane and the Lane Trail, and the impact they had on the devel-
opment of our state, by officially recognizing that US-75 highway from the Nebraska border
south to Topeka closely approximates ``The Lane Trail''; and
Be it further resolved: That the Secretary of the Senate be directed to send enrolled
copies of this resolution to Ramon Powers, Executive Director, Kansas State Historical
Society, Marjorie Schnacke, Executive Director-Development, Kansas State Historical So-
ciety, and Randy Theis, Kansas State Historical Society, all at 6425 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka,
KS 66615-1099 and to Marjorie Crump, 28 Twisted Oak Circle, Trumbull, CT 06611.
Senate Resolution No. 1814 was sponsored by Senator Alicia L. Salisbury.
I hereby certify that the above Resolution originated in the Senate, and was adopted
by that body