Exodusters of Kansas – Legends of America
"When I landed on the soil, I looked on the ground, and I says this is free ground. Then I looked on the heavens, and I says them is free and beautiful heavens. Then I looked within my heart, and I says to myself I wonder why I never was free before?"
– John Solomon Lewis, on his arrival in Kansas
The year 1877 marked a turning point in the history of the United States, as the last Federal troops withdrew from the Southern states, effectively ending the Reconstruction era. While this period was intended to rebuild and integrate the South after the Civil War, it soon gave way to a resurgence of racial oppression and the unsettling specter of re-instituted slavery. In this climate of fear and uncertainty, many African Americans began to seek refuge in the promise of a better life, embarking on a mass migration to Kansas in 1879 and 1880. These courageous individuals, known as "Exodusters," sought to escape the shackles of the past and embrace the hope of freedom and equality in a state renowned as a Free-State and the land of the abolitionist John Brown.
The Kansas Exodus: A Spontaneous Uprising
The Kansas Exodus was not a meticulously planned or centrally organized movement. Instead, it emerged as an unorganized mass migration in 1879, fueled by the collective desire for a new beginning. While several influential figures played a role in inspiring and guiding the Exodusters, including the charismatic Benjamin "Pap" Singleton, the exodus was primarily driven by the grassroots efforts of ordinary African Americans seeking to liberate themselves from the oppressive conditions of the South.
As the Exodusters poured into Kansas, local relief agencies, such as the Kansas Freedman’s Relief Association, stepped in to provide assistance. However, the sheer scale of the migration overwhelmed these organizations, leaving many impoverished refugees struggling to meet their basic needs.
Appleton’s Annual Cyclopedia for 1879 captured the essence of the exodus, describing it as a spontaneous and earnest movement:
"The attention of the country during the past year has been attracted to the movements among the African-American population, chiefly in the states bordering on the Mississippi River. There was no appearance of organization or system among these people – their irregularity and absence of preparation indicating spontaneity and earnestness. Bands moved from the plantations to the Mississippi River and then to St. Louis and other cities, with no defined purpose, except to reach a state west of the Mississippi River, where they expected to enjoy new prosperity. Their movements received the name of the ‘Exodus.’"
Unraveling the Motives Behind the Exodus
The Kansas Exodus sparked intense debate and speculation about its underlying causes. Various theories emerged, each attempting to explain the motivations behind this unprecedented migration of African Americans.
Some argued that the exodus was a direct consequence of the loss of political power by blacks at the end of Reconstruction. As the federal government withdrew its support, Southern states began to implement policies that disenfranchised African Americans, effectively stripping them of their hard-won rights.
Others suggested that unscrupulous politicians in the Northern states instigated the exodus, hoping to bolster their political support in close elections. By enticing African Americans to migrate to their states, these politicians aimed to secure a reliable voting bloc.
Another theory pointed to land speculators in the new states west of the Mississippi River, who allegedly circulated alluring reports in the Lower Mississippi Valley. These reports promised African Americans "Forty acres and a mule," a tantalizing prospect that proved too tempting to resist for many.
However, the most compelling explanation for the exodus was offered by Governor Stone of Mississippi in his message to the legislature of that state in 1880:
"A partial failure of the cotton crop in portions of the state, and the un-remunerative prices received for it, created a feeling of discontent among plantation laborers, which, together with other extraneous influences, caused some to abandon their crops in the spring to seek homes in the West."
In essence, the economic hardships faced by African American sharecroppers and laborers in the South, coupled with the promise of a better life in the West, fueled the exodus.
The Influence of "Pap" Singleton and the Promise of "Sunny Kansas"
While economic factors played a significant role in the Kansas Exodus, the influence of black leaders who had already established themselves in the North and West cannot be overlooked. These individuals, through their letters and personal appeals, painted a vivid picture of the opportunities awaiting African Americans in states like Kansas.
One such leader was Benjamin "Pap" Singleton, a former slave who had settled in Morris County, Kansas, shortly after the Civil War. Singleton became a tireless advocate for immigration, actively encouraging African Americans to leave the South and seek a new life in "Sunny Kansas."
Singleton’s message resonated deeply with many African Americans who felt trapped in a system of oppression and exploitation. He argued that political participation alone would not secure their freedom and prosperity, and that true liberation lay in owning land and controlling their own destiny.
Kansas: A Beacon of Hope
It is no coincidence that Kansas, the state where the conflict over slavery ignited, became the primary destination for the Exodusters. Kansas held a special significance for African Americans, representing the promise of freedom and equality that had eluded them in the South.
The Kansas Monthly for April 1879 described the movement as a "stampede of the colored people of the Southern states northward, and especially to the State of Kansas." The article also highlighted a meeting held in Lawrence, Kansas, where resolutions were adopted to provide assistance to the arriving immigrants.
As a result of these efforts, the Freedman’s Relief Association was established in May 1879, dedicated to supporting the Exodusters as they transitioned to their new lives in Kansas.
Conventions and Calls for Action
In the South, African American leaders organized conventions to discuss the exodus and chart a course of action. One such convention, held in New Orleans, Louisiana, in April 1879, brought together 200 delegates, including numerous preachers.
After a heated debate, the convention adopted a resolution declaring that "it is the sense of this convention that the colored people of the South should migrate." The convention also issued an appeal for material aid to support the migrants.
Another convention, held in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in May 1879, affirmed the right of African Americans to emigrate wherever they pleased. However, the convention urged those considering migration to proceed with caution, emphasizing the importance of planning and preparation.
The Vicksburg Convention also cautioned against the circulation of false reports promising land, mules, and money to the emigrants "without labor and without price."
The Exodus in Numbers
By the end of 1879, thousands of African Americans had made their way to Kansas. On April 1, 1880, Henry King, the postmaster of Topeka, Kansas, provided a detailed account of the migration in a letter to Scribner’s Magazine:
King estimated that between 15,000 and 20,000 African Americans had settled in Kansas during the previous year, with the majority coming from Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee, and Louisiana. He noted that approximately one-third of the migrants were equipped with teams and farming tools, and were expected to become self-sustaining in the near future.
King also reported that the freedmen had purchased or entered approximately 20,000 acres of land, plowed and prepared 3,000 acres for grain-growing, and built around 300 cabins and dugouts. He estimated that their total gains for the year amounted to $40,000, or about $2.25 per capita.
Challenges and Hardships
While the Kansas Exodus offered the promise of a better life, it was not without its challenges and hardships. The Exodusters faced numerous obstacles, including poverty, discrimination, and lack of resources.
Many arrived in Kansas with little more than the clothes on their backs, relying on the generosity of relief organizations and the kindness of strangers. They struggled to find adequate housing, employment, and access to education and healthcare.
Despite these challenges, the Exodusters persevered, driven by their unwavering belief in the promise of freedom and equality. They established communities, built schools and churches, and worked tirelessly to create a better future for themselves and their children.
The Senate Investigation
In 1880, the U.S. Senate appointed a committee to investigate the causes of the Kansas Exodus. The committee’s investigation spanned nearly 1,700 printed pages, documenting the experiences of the Exodusters and the perspectives of various stakeholders.
The majority report concluded that the exodus was politically motivated, aimed at colonizing blacks in Northern states for political gain. However, this conclusion was not supported by the evidence presented during the investigation.
The Legacy of the Exodusters
The Kansas Exodus represents a pivotal moment in American history, a testament to the resilience and determination of African Americans in the face of adversity. The Exodusters’ courageous journey to Kansas symbolizes the enduring pursuit of freedom, equality, and self-determination.
Their legacy continues to inspire generations, reminding us of the importance of fighting for justice and creating a society where all individuals have the opportunity to thrive.
Also See:
- The Era of Reconstruction
- Kansas Photo Galleries
- Nicodemus – A Black Pioneer Town
- Benjamin “Pap” Singleton
Source: Blackmar, Frank W.; Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Standard Publishing Company, Chicago, IL 1912.