Charles Jennison, a strong supporter of abolitionists John Brown and James Montgomery, came to Kansas in 1857. In 1861 he was commissioned as a lieutenant colonel of the 7th Kansas Cavalry Regiment, which became known as "Jennison's Jayhawkers."
Letter by John Henry Vansickle, a Bourbon County farmer and dry goods store owner, describing the political climate in Territorial Kansas. The letter includes a reference to a "Jayhawker" on the top of the second page.
Recent publication by Professor Frank Baron, University of Kansas, detailing the role of James Lane in the establishment of the term "Jayhawk," and its connection to Kansas'' territorial history.
"If possible have the Jayhawk standing on or carrying a bomb with the R.A.F. insignia on it. The R.A.F. insignia being concentric circles colored red in the center, next to a white ring, then a blue ring, then a yellow ring."