Labette County, Kansas
Coordinates: 37°12′N 95°17′W / 37.200°N 95.283°W / 37.200; -95.283
Labette County (county code LB) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 21,607. Its county seat is Oswego, and its most populous city is Parsons.
The Parsons, KS Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Labette County.
History
In the 1840s Labette County had a population mainly consisting of Osage people, although there were also many Cherokee and Euro-Americans. Many of the Euro-Americans were merchants with Osage or Cherokee wives.
From 1871-1873, the Benders, later called the Bloody Benders, set up an inn and killed at least 12 travelers including one child. While the Benders hold a tragic and morbid story, they are famous in the area.
Law and government
Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1996, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.