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PH203-05: Ambrotype of watercolor of Battle of Hickory Point in the Kansas Free State War by Samuel James Reader, 1903. The Battle of Hickory Point occurred in the Kansas Territory on Sept. 13, 1856 between a small group of pro-slavery and free-state forces. Gen. James H. Lane (no known relation to Joseph Lane) is shown. However, the annotations on the back show that this was given to Joseph Lane's grandson, Harry Lane, then mayor of Portland, in 1907 by Salmon Brown. Salmon was the son of John Brown, active in the Kansas free-state movement and leader of the 1859 raid on Harper's Ferry. The Brown family fled to Oregon following John Brown's execution.

Stamped imprint on back: "Sam'l J. Reader, North Topeka, Kansas. Amateur photographer." Inked annotation on back: "The Missourians are in the two log houses, called Hickory Point, north of Kansas River. Lane was repulsed. Next day, Sept. 14, Capt. Harvey fought them but failed also. I was with Lane. S.J. Reader." Sam Reader (1836-1914) was a lieutenant in the 2nd regiment of the Kansas State Militia and fought to repulse the Confederate advance in Missouri and Kansas in 1864. He kept a diary illustrated with watercolors of the events of the conflicts that are considered significant eyewitness documents. The Kansas Museum of History holds a version of this painting. The Kansas State Historical Society holds Reader's diaries. Penciled annotation on back: "Portland 1907. Friend Mayor Lane. This was sent to me by a friend. I thought you would like to keep it. Respectfully, Salmon Brown. "

Joseph Lane Photograph Collection. Property of University of Oregon. All rights reserved.

Maintained by: N. Helmer, spcarref@uoregon.edu
Last Modified: 11/28/2006