I took a look at some 1860 census data per your suggestion, but I am not sure how I would go about getting very definitive answers. There are two categores of valuation data, real estate and other. I read the census instructions, and under "real estate", the instruction was basically to take whatever answer was given, and not to take into consiertion liens or other encumbrances. Therefore, I don't think there would be any way to get at the "mountain of debt" claim holders. I did notice a fair number (maybe 10% based on a very brief spot check of the Osawatomie township) of farming families with no real estate value and little "other", which could indicate settelrs that had not been able to secure, or had recently lost, their claim. Do you have any tips for analyzing the data?