Arthur Inghram Baker: frontier Kansan.

Abstract

Arthur Inghram Baker's sixteen years in Kansas spanned the transition from pre-territorial to statehood and his participation in many of the important events of this period make his life an ideal study of the various aspects of the Upper Neosho pioneer. The early years of Kansas were characterized by violence, political intrigue, and land speculation. It is in these areas that Baker's life and death add to the understanding of the issues which created the thirty-fourth state. It was as a blacksmith, in 1846, with the Sac and Fox Indians, that Baker first came to Kansas. He remained with the Indians unti 1 1854, when he was dismissed by the agent as being "an unfit man to be in Indian Country." With knowledge that the territory would soon be open for settlement, Baker moved west and established a store at the Rock Creek crossing of the Santa Fe Trail just east of Council Grove. By his pre-emption at Rock Creek, Baker became not only the first settler in what was to become Breckinridge County, but he immediately became Its most prominent citizen and business and political leader. At his home, now named Agnes City, Baker became noted as a farmer, merchant, post master, attorney. trade correspondent and land speculator. It was at Agnes City that the county's first seat of government was established with Baker Its first probate Judge. It is as a political leader that Baker is best remembered In local and territorial history. During the seven years that Kansas was a territory, Baker was an active and vocal advocate of the entire gamut of its diverse political factions. Baker ranged from a slave-owner and pro-slavery sympathIzer to leader of the county Free-State party, founder of the Republican party and then a Democrat advocate. Was Baker a dedicated promoter of the frontier, a political opportunist, or a fool7 The question arises from his constant switching of political parties and his desIre to maintain control of the county. His loss of such control in the 1859-60 county seat war between Americus and Emporia resulted In his removal from Breckinrldge to Morris County. Although he retained his home at Agnes City, Baker became the proprietor and editor of the Press and the proprietor of the Union Hotel in Council Grove. Due to the economic upheaval created by the Civi 1 War and the sudden death of his wife, Baker's business ventures in Counci 1 Grove soon failed. Regardless of his Union editorial support and his election as commander of the local militia, Baker left the Upper Neosho for Missouri where he was arrested and imprisoned as a secessionist. After being held for four months the charges were dismissed, and Baker returned to Agnes City. It was not long after his return that he engaged in a personal quarrel, killing the father of a neighboring family, and then, in turn, the sons of the family took Baker's life and burned his home and store in revenge. Baker's life and death in Kansas presents a strange combination of the paradox and conflict so inherent in its territorial history.