Transcribed from volume I of Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ... / with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence. Standard Pub. Co. Chicago : 1912. 3 v. in 4. : front., ill., ports.; 28 cm. Vols. I-II edited by Frank W. Blackmar.

Grapevine Telegraph.—In the territorial days, while the conflict over slavery was the leading issue in Kansas affairs, a sort of pro-slavery headquarters was maintained at Weston, Mo., for the purpose of rendering prompt assistance to friends in Kansas. The territorial headquarters of the Kansas pro-slaveryites were at Lecompton, and a line of communication was kept up by what was known as the "Grapevine Telegraph." It was something like the underground railway of the abolitionists. If the people at Lecompton needed the aid or coöperation of their Missouri friends, a messenger was mounted on a good horse and sent across the country at night, avoiding the roads most likely to be frequented by free-state men. On the other hand, if the Weston contingent had anything to propose, the messenger came from that end of the line. Along the route were certain pro-slavery settlers, whose cabins could be used as resting places, or where a fresh horse could be secured by the messenger.

Pages 776-777 from volume I of Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ... / with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence. Standard Pub. Co. Chicago : 1912. 3 v. in 4. : front., ill., ports.; 28 cm. Vols. I-II edited by Frank W. Blackmar. Transcribed May 2002 by Carolyn Ward.