“ The first mention of the Kansas Indians in the white man's history was about the beginning of the 17th century, when Juan de Onate gave them the name of Escansaques. It will be noticed that the second and third syllables of this word form the name "Cansa," which is one of the numerous forms later used. George P. Morehouse of Topeka, who has made a rather exhaustive study of Indian lore and tradition, says "The famous historic word Cansa or Kansa is neither of French or Indian origin. ”

“ It derives its name from the principal tribe of Indians that inhabited the region at the time the territory was organized in 1854, but the origin, meaning and orthography of the word "Kansas" is somewhat uncertain. One authority says the Indian word Kansa has a dual meaning—"wind and swift"—and that the word Kansas may be interpreted as meaning "swift wind." F. W. Hodge says that the word refers to winds, but the full definition is not known. The name of the Indian tribe has been spelled in many different ways. ”

“ This was the first white child born in Kansas.
1829—A Methodist mission established among the Shawnee Indians in what is now Johnson county by Rev. Thomas Johnson.
1830—Congress established a vast Indian territory west of the Mississippi river. Kansas was included in this territory.
1833—The first printing press brought to Kansas by Rev. Jotham Meeker and put in operation at the Shawnee mission.
1835—Col. Henry Dodge leads an expedition up the Arkansas river on the way to the Rocky mountains.
1840—Joseph and Ahcan Papan establish a ferry across the Kansas river where Topeka now stands. ”