Links aren't those of Odd Fellow; the doctor's daughter; and successful businesswomen

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

A sundry of items from local news sources in the late 1800s included:

The Kansas New Era, Dec. 11, 1873, S. Weaver, Editor — "Last summer, as the workmen were engaged in tearing down the foundation walls of the old mill, three 'links' were found imbedded in the masonry and at a latter date some bones were found in another part of the wall. Later, portions of articles of clothing were discovered. Was the victim an Odd Fellow? A solution to this mystery was made.

"The links were from an old log chain; the bones were those of a defunct cat, and the clothing was part of the suit that Sid Squires used to go "a sparkin' " in."

The Valley Falls New Era, Aug. 19, 1893, E. P. Karr, Editor, Titled "Not A Harmony," the article continued: "Dr. Gillman and his daughter, Mrs. Blackwood, are having a good deal of trouble. The doctor says there is not a meaner woman on the face of the earth than his daughter and, in his own mind, he has no doubt that she poisoned his horse and she has threatened his life and that of his family a number of times. He says she can swear worse than any man in town and that she is a holy terror.

"Mrs. Blackwood, on the other hand, says her father is trying to get her out of town and has sent her threatening letters so that she is afraid to stay at home nights.

"The end of the trouble is not yet and something is liable to happen."

The 1893 New Era continued with a new subject. — "In the feminine business world in Valley Falls, none have been more successful than Mrs. A. Murray, who conducts the leading millinery establishment. Mrs. Murray came to Valley Falls 14 years ago, having lived in Louisville where she was the leading milliner.

"On Jan. 2, of this year, she lost her entire stock by fire. She replaced her stock and her store is now up to its reputation for neatness and stylishness.

"Another female business woman, Mrs. M.E. Witchner, is the proprietor of the City Hotel. Mrs. W. has resided in Valley Falls for 10 years and has been in the hotel business for five years.

"A restaurant is run in connection with the hotel. Cigars, tobacco, and confections, etc., are kept. Neat lunches for passengers travelling through the city are carried to the trains. The City Hotel is as good as any $1 per day house in the city and it is well patronized."

The historical society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13.