Counties : Graham, petition for temporary county seat

Scope and content: This file contains a petition from residents of Graham County asking that Kansas Governor St. John designate Millbrook as the Temporary County Seat for the county of Graham. An accompanying document informs the Governor that the names signed in the petition are legal voters of Graham county. Also included are letters from Notary Public informing the Governor of names of persons who wish to retract their name from the Gettysburg petition to be placed on a petition for Hill City as Temporary County Seat. In the late 19th century the location of County Seat was important to residents in towns of Kansas. Supporters of numerous locations within the counties of Kansas believed if their town was selected as County Seat, the success of the town would be guaranteed. The establishment of County Seat meant a courthouse would be built as well as bridges, roads, and schools. The competition of the location of County Seat among towns often resulted in bribery, fraud, and even violence.