Horse thieves, Bill Cody, walnuts, street lights and a marital dispute

— Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

A sundry of news items from a sundry of newspapers and editors:

The Grasshopper, Grasshopper Falls, June 8, 1858, J. A. Cody, Editor — "A gang of horse thieves are now infesting our neighborhood and stealing many valuable hourses. We propose that a vigilance committee be organized to look after these gentry and bring them to account. There are some individuals among us who have no visible means of support. Now and then one of them disappears and a horse with him. Let us see to these men and if there is no other way to get rid of them, drive them from the country anyway so that they vamoose the ranche."

The Valley Falls New Era, Aug. 24, 1878, A.G. Patrick, Editor and Proprietor — "Buffalo Bill (Wm. F. Cody) visited the fairgrounds last week with his rifle and illustrated to the boys how he could shoot. A walnut tossed into the air was hit nine times out of ten tosses. A small plum was hit two times out of three and a nickel hit two times out of three, all with a small rifle."

The Valley Falls New Era, Oct. 12, 1878, G. D. Ingersoll, Editor and Proprietor — "The envy of the masculine side of the Sunday school at this season of the year is the boy whose hands show the blackest with walnut juice stain."

Continuing with the New Era and G.D. Ingersoll, Editor, Dec. 14, 1878, — "Two of our business men have exhibited a degree of enterprise for which they deserve praise. We allude now to Mr. Wm. Steffins and Mr. F. LaFountaine who have each erected nice street lamps in front of their business houses. We think this is a matter that our city council should look after, the lighting of our streets. It is not necessary that we should have a gas factory. A great many cities are using the Chicago street system because they are much cheaper. Coal oil is used in them and it is estimated the cost is about a dollar a month per light."

Continuing with the New Era and Ingersoll, Dec. 21, 1878 — "Mr. W.F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) has been appointed a special agent for the Nez Perce and Shawnee Indian tribes on account of valuable services rendered the government as Chief of Scouts."

Valley Falls New Era, Aug. 19, 1893, E.P. Karr, Editor and Proprietor — "Frank LaFountaine and wife got into a fair-sized row in their store Thursday evening over some books, which the old lady refused to give up. They were going at each other rough and tumble and filling the air with profanity when Marshal Stockwell separated them and quited them. Frank went out to Turner Hall and when she returned, the old lady had nailed shut the doors of the store and held possession. The marshal was called again and had to break in. Mrs. LaFountaine went upstairs and took possession there and left the old man downstairs. His troubles have just commenced now since she came home from jail in Oskaloosa."

The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18.