The first bit of recorded history concerning Goodland is the Kidder Massacre. On July 2* 1867 the "M" Company of the 2nd U.S. Cavalry2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment was massacred; one 2nd lieutenant Lyman S. Kidder, a sergeant, a corporal, eight privates and an Indian guide were there. They were carrying dispatches for General George Custer, which chastized him for disobeying orders. Later, Custer found evidence of a running battle along Beaver Creek, which led to a ravine where the remains were found. They had been killed by the Cheyenne & Sioux indians. For reference only see http://www.goodlandnet.com/history/kidder.htm. In 1886 there were four communities: Itasca, Voltaire, Sherman Center and Eustis, all wanting to be county seat. Someone named Clark showed up in 1887, wanting to make a new town to settle to dispute. It was to be named Goodland. Soon, contests for county seat were held. Goodland won, and Sherman center held second place, while Eustis took third. Construction began. Eustis was jealous, and built things, too. The county seat was not official yet. They voted, Goodland had 872 of the 1495 votes. Eustis received 611. Eustis declared that the votes were unfair. The state department said that nothing could be done, since all of the voting was done. The supreme court of Kansas had various proceedings. In January 1888, people from Goodland went to forcibly take the county records from Eustis. But at the Sherman County Bank, they found a problem. Actually, it was across the street, where ten men were stationed on the second floor of the opposite building. No shots were fired, and Goodland got the records, but the struggle was not over. Members of the Kansas National Guard were sent to investigate the matter, and by May of 1888 it was finally closed. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodland%2C_Kansas