Diary of Sara Tappan Doolittle Lawrence Robinson, September, 1855

-- The new governor arrived at Westport, Missouri, and was received into full fellowship, and with demonstrations of joy. Before setting foot in the territory, or looking upon his real constituents, the bona fide settlers of Kansas, full of whiskey and elation of office, he made to them a speech. He told them in it repeatedly of their Legislature, the laws they had enacted, and assured them, with great fervor of manner, that he should call upon them to aid him in their enforcement. All this the people of Westport, Missouri, received with cheers and hurrahs; and, in loud bursts of enthusiasm, they expressed their joy that the tool was sure. Governor Shannon's son quietly asked of a bystander "if board could not be obtained in Lawrence, and hinted, in pretty plain terms, that he should prefer to live where there was less whiskey, and men of less ruffianly look. When the boat reached the landing, at Kansas city, a large number of the Missourians went on to meet the governor, and introduced themselves to him as "Border Ruffians." A carriage was soon sent over from Westport, to convey him thither. So, in the course of his rule in Kansas, we shall see what we shall see.