Kansas Territorial Governor. Born in New York, Walsh served four times as acting territorial governor of Kansas, but never more than two months at a time. He served during the period in the state's history known as "Bleeding Kansas". President James Buchanan consistently called on him to take office, when the elected governors were unable to serve, towards the last days of Kansas's stint as a territory which were also the final days of Buchanan's presidency. Walsh was the only territorial governor who lived in Kansas prior to being appointed governor. He replaced James Denver the first time he took over as governor and Samuel Medary the next three times. During Walsh's first tenure future US Senator from Kansas James Lane killed his neighbor over a disputed boundary in Lawrence. During his final tenure John Ritchie killed a US deputy marshall over another slavery related argument in Topeka. Walsh left office for the final time on June 16, 1860. 210 days and four governors later Kansas was admitted as state by President Buchanan on January 29, 1861, finally ending the territorial governorship which had changed hands twenty six times in six years.
Kansas Territorial Governor. Born in New York, Walsh served four times as acting territorial governor of Kansas, but never more than two months at a time. He served during the period in the state's history known as "Bleeding Kansas". President James Buchanan consistently called on him to take office, when the elected governors were unable to serve, towards the last days of Kansas's stint as a territory which were also the final days of Buchanan's presidency. Walsh was the only territorial governor who lived in Kansas prior to being appointed governor. He replaced James Denver the first time he took over as governor and Samuel Medary the next three times. During Walsh's first tenure future US Senator from Kansas James Lane killed his neighbor over a disputed boundary in Lawrence. During his final tenure John Ritchie killed a US deputy marshall over another slavery related argument in Topeka. Walsh left office for the final time on June 16, 1860. 210 days and four governors later Kansas was admitted as state by President Buchanan on January 29, 1861, finally ending the territorial governorship which had changed hands twenty six times in six years.
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