Kaw Mission and Last Chance Store Museums

Kaw Mission and Last Chance Store Museums 500 N. Mission Street, Council Grove, KS 66846-1433
620-307-2754
kshs.org/kaw_mission government removed the Kaw to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma).

Kaw Mission is more than just a museum that tells the story of the building that was home and school to 30 Kaw boys from 1851-1854; it is a tribute to the Kaw (or Kansa), who gave our state its name. The Kaw lived in the Neosho Valley along the Santa Fe Trail for less than 30 years when, despite an impassioned plea by Chief Allegawaho, the U.S. Learn more about Chief Allegawaho, the Kaw, the Santa Fe Trail, and their stories when you visit Kaw Mission.

William Clark 1825 Treaty- Kanza Reserve Part-6The Kansa half-breeds included four children of trader Louis Gonville, an...
08/07/2026

William Clark 1825 Treaty- Kanza Reserve Part-6
The Kansa half-breeds included four children of trader Louis Gonville, and two of Baptiste Gonville. On the Big Blue river (of Missouri) 36 sections of land were reserved (these to be sold to provide funds for educating Kansa children). The United States was granted "the right to navigate freely all water-courses or navigable streams" in the Kansa reserve. [In 1968, Congress paid the approximately 400 heirs to the 23 half-breed tracts the 1862 appraised valuation of $5 per acre, in part settlement of the Kaw Indian tribal council's longstanding claim for reparations. Still at issue (November, 1970) is the several million dollar claim for accumulated interest dating back to 1862. Source- The Beginning of the West by Louise Barry- Photo of Louis Gonville daughter, Julie Gonville Pappan and his Great- granddaughter Bell Pappan Auld,

William Clark, treaty of 1825- Kanza Part-5The Kansa reserve was briefly described: "From the cession a foresaid. . . ...
08/04/2026

William Clark, treaty of 1825- Kanza Part-5

The Kansa reserve was briefly described: "From the cession a foresaid. . . a tract of land, to begin twenty leagues up the Kanzas river, and to include their village [east of present Manhattan] on that river; extending west thirty miles in width, through the lands ceded in the first article. . ." The treaty provided (1) for a government survey of the reserve; (2) payment of $3,500 tribal annuity for 20 years; (3) that the Kansa would be furnished 300 head of cattle, 300 hogs, 500 domestic fowls, 3 yokes of oxen, two carts,farming implements; (4) that the government would support a blacksmith among them. In addition to the tribal reserve, 23 one-mile-square tracts were reserved for the Kansa half-breeds. These were to be located on the north side of the Kansas river "commencing at the [east] line of the Kanzas reservation [not far west of present Topeka-North Topeka is on tract No. 41] and extending down the Kanzas river for quantity" [for 23 miles to the vicinity of present Williamtown, Jefferson county.]To be continued.... Source- The Beginning of the West by Louise Barry-Photo of Oxen

William Clark 1825 treaty Part-4The Kansa land cession was described in the treaty of [St. Louis],June 3, 1825 as follow...
07/31/2026

William Clark 1825 treaty Part-4

The Kansa land cession was described in the treaty of [St. Louis],June 3, 1825 as follows: "Beginning at the entrance of the Kanza river into the Missouri river; from thence north to the northwest corner of the State of Missouri; from thence westwardly to the Nodewa [Nodaway] river, thirty miles from its entrance into the Missouri, and from that river to its source; from thence to the source of the Kanza river,leaving the old village of the Pania [Pawnee] Republic to the west; from thence, on the ridge dividing the waters of the Kanzas river from those of the Arkansas, to the western boundary of the state line of Missouri, and that line, thirty miles, to the place of beginning." To be continued.... Source-The Beginning of the West by Louise Barry Photo of a Kanza-

William Clark and the Osage Reservation Part-3(4) that the government would support a blacksmith among them; (5) that a ...
07/28/2026

William Clark and the Osage Reservation Part-3
(4) that the government would support a blacksmith among them; (5) that a house of each of the four principal chiefs would be built at their respective villages. In addition to the tribal reserve, 640-acre tracts were specified for each of the 42 Osage half-breeds (including Noel Mongrain's 10 children and four grandchildren; William Sherley ["Old Bill"] Williams' daughters Mary and Sarah; and James G. and Alexander Chouteau); 54 tracts other tracts (of a mile square each) were reserved (these to be sold to provide funds for educating the Osage children); two sections of land at Harmony Mission, and one at the Union establishment were also reserved. To be continued.... Photo of "Old" Bill Williams Source- The Beginning of the West by Louise Barry

William Clark Part-2The Great and Little Osages reserve was described in the treaty of June 2, 1825 as follows: "Beginni...
07/24/2026

William Clark Part-2
The Great and Little Osages reserve was described in the treaty of June 2, 1825 as follows: "Beginning at a point due east of White Hair's village [on the Neosho, in present Neosho county], and twenty-five miles west of the western boundary of the state of Missouri, fronting on a north and south line, so as to leave ten miles north, and forty miles south , of the point of said beginning, and extending west, with the width of fifty miles, to the western boundary of the lands hereby ceded and relinquished..." Their treaty also provided (1) for a government survey of the reserve; (2) payment of a $7,000 tribal annuity for 20 years; (3) that the Osages would be furnished 600 head of cattle, 600 hogs, 1,000 domestic fowls, 10 yoke of oxen, six carts, some farming utensils; To be continued...Source- The Beginning of the West by Louise Barry- Painting of a Osage

At St. Louis, the Osages (on June 2, 1825), and the Kansa (on June3), signed treaties with the United States (William Cl...
07/21/2026

At St. Louis, the Osages (on June 2, 1825), and the Kansa (on June3), signed treaties with the United States (William Clark acting for the government) which (as described by Thomas l. McKenney of the Indian affairs office in November 30 report) extinguished Indian titles to three or four million acres of land in the state of Missouri and Arkansas territory, and to nearly 100,000,000 acres west of Missouri and Arkansas. Reservations within the latter acreage were secured to the Osages and Kansa, he noted:". . . to the first, a tract of fifty miles front, parallel to, and about twenty-five miles West of, the Western boundary of Missouri, and to the Kanzas a tract of thirty miles front, parallel also to the Western boundary o Missouri, and about fifty miles West of it; both running back to the Spanish line. To be continued....Painting of William Clark- Source-The Beginning of the West by louise Barry

Thomas Farnham Part- 2.." We crossed the stream called the Bigblue, a tributary of the Missouri, about 12 o'clock, and a...
07/17/2026

Thomas Farnham Part- 2.." We crossed the stream called the Bigblue, a tributary of the Missouri, about 12 o'clock, and approached the border of the Indian domains. All were anxious now to see and linger over every object that reminded us that we were still on the confines of that civilization which we had inherited from a thousand generations; a vast and imperishable legacy of civil and social happiness. It was, therefore, painful to approach the last frontier enclosure-the last habitation of the white man-the last semblance of home. The last cabin at length was approached. We drank at the well and traveled on . It was now behind us. All was behind us with which the sympathies of our young days had mingled their holy memories. before us were the treeless plains of green, as they had been since the flood-beautiful, unbroken by bush or rock; unsoiled by plough or spade; sweetly scented with the first blossomings of spring. They had been, since time commenced, the theatre of the Indian prowess-of their hopes, joys and sorrows....A lovely landscape this, for an Indian's mediations! he could almost behold in the dim distance where the plain and sky met the holy portals of his after state-so mazy and beautiful was the scene!" Source- Bound for Santa Fe by Stephen G. Hyslop- painting of Westport landing

The experience of Thomas Farnham, who left Independence with his party by pack train on May 30, 1839, was not unusual: "...
07/14/2026

The experience of Thomas Farnham, who left Independence with his party by pack train on May 30, 1839, was not unusual:
"Our pack-saddles being, therefore, girded upon the animals, our sacks of provision, &c., snugly lashed upon them, and protected from the rain that had begun to fall, and ourselves well mounted and armed, we took the road that leads off southwest from Independence in the direction of Santa Fe, But the rains that had accompanied us daily since we left Peoria, seemed determined to es**rt us still, our illnatured scowls to the contrary notwithstanding. We had travelled only three miles when it fell in such torrents that we found it necessary to take shelter in a neighbouring school-house for the night. it was a dismal one; but a blazing fire within, and a merry song from jovial number of our company imparted as much consolation as our circumstances seemed to demand, till we responded to the howling of the storm-the sonourous evidence of the sweet and quiet slumber. The following morning was clear and pleasant, and we were early on our route. To be continued... Source -Bound for Santa Fe by Stephen G. Hyslop- Painting of Thomas Jefferson Farnham

Osage- Kiowa Battle Part-2Meantime, in late April, Clermont and some 300 Osage braves, having found and back -tracked th...
07/10/2026

Osage- Kiowa Battle Part-2
Meantime, in late April, Clermont and some 300 Osage braves, having found and back -tracked the trail of the Kiowa war party, attacked the defenseless village (in present southwestern Oklahoma); massacred the women, children, and the old men therein; cut off their victims' heads; burned the lodges; and departed for home with )it is said) over 100 new and old (Kiowa taken) scalps, and two Kiowa prisoners (a brother and sister, about 10 and 12). At Clermont town, in early May, the Osages spent several days celebrating the great "victory" over the Kiowas; while to the northward, at White Hair's and other Neosho river towns at nearly the same time, Osages were celebrating a victory over the "Pawnee" (Kiowa) war party.
Source- The Beginning of the West by Louise Barry - Painting of Clermont

In late April or early May, [1833] White Hair and some 200 Osages (on foot) clashed with a mounted Kiowa war party (also...
07/07/2026

In late April or early May, [1833] White Hair and some 200 Osages (on foot) clashed with a mounted Kiowa war party (also around 200? in number), somewhere in northern Oklahoma of today. A heavy rainstorm terminated the battle. Probably this was the engagement reported by missionary W.F. Vaill in which 22 "Pawnees [Kiowas], and two Osages were reported killed. To be continued.....
Source- The Beginning of the West by Louise Barry- Photo of Kiowa

Address

500 N Mission Street
Council Grove, KS
66846

Opening Hours

Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Telephone

+16203072754

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