=Beginning of this Period.= Nearly three score years have passed since the close of the Civil War; a period of work, growth, and progress. The earlier years in Kansas were but a time of preparation, and with the end of the war the people were at last free to turn their attention to farming or to other occupations. Hundreds of new settlers poured into the State each year. Little pioneer homes dotted the eastern part of the State more and more thickly and the line of settlement moved rapidly westward. =Indian Troubles on the Frontier.= As the white-topped wagons of the immigrants became more numerous the Indian and the buffalo were pushed farther on. But the red man did not give up his hunting ground without a struggle. The encroachments of the settlers had long been resented. Even before the close of the Civil War, while the soldiers were needed elsewhere, the Indians had begun their depredations on the frontier. In 1865 and 1866 settlements were attacked in Republic and Cloud counties, stock was driven away, much property was destroyed, and a number of people were killed. The few settlers on their scattered claims were poorly armed, and, with no soldiers near to protect them, they were in constant fear of wandering tribes of hostile Indians. [Illustration: Great Seal of the State of Kansas It has long been customary for each nation to have a great seal. The United States has one, as has also each of the states. A seal is used to make an impression on a document as a sign of its genuineness. The design for the Great Seal of Kansas was adopted by the first State Legislature. The thirty-four stars represent the thirty-four states comprising the Union at that time. The scene is supposed to typify the settlement and growth of the State. The motto “_Ad astra per aspera_,” meaning “To the stars through difficulties,” is peculiarly descriptive of the state’s history.] =Open War with the Indians.= The next year United States troops were sent to protect the frontier. They drove the Indians back and destroyed one of their villages. This only made the red men eager for revenge, and they began an open war on all settlers, immigrant trains, traders, and travelers. Robberies and murders were committed along the whole frontier, particularly in the Republican, Solomon, and Smoky Hill valleys, and in Marion, Butler and Greenwood counties. Travel over the Santa Fe and other westward trails almost ceased and the line of settlement was pushed eastward many miles. Many tribes engaged in these attacks. They dashed into the State from north or south or west, committed their cruelties, and were gone.