- compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Tragedy has neither friends nor enemies and has no consideration for circumstances as evidenced by the following story featured by the Valley Falls New Era Aug. 27 through Oct. 1885.
"The bloodiest and most exciting tragedy, which has occurred in Valley Falls for years was last Saturday night where one man was killed and three others were seriously wounded.
"A farmer who goes by the name 'Dad' Huff, a brother of J.M. Huff, well and favorably known in this community, was in town and in the company with a friend of his named Dave Delk. They visited the skating rink in the evening, both, it seems having imbibed too freely of liquor during the afternoon and evening.
"Huff put on a pair of skates, and being a novice at the business, together with the liquor he had in him, made little progress in learning to skate. He maneuvered around for a time, and it is said, used vulgar and obscene language, something not tolerated by the skating rink management. Marshal Boles was sent for, and prevailed upon Huff to leave the place. But Huff became so unruly, it was thought best to take him into custody. Marshal Boles started with him to the calaboose, having called W.N Barnes for assistance.
"They were getting along o.k. until they reached the corner of Turner Hall where they were overtaken by Dave Delk who wanted to know what Marshal Boles was going to do with Huff. The marshal's reply was that he was taking the prisoner to the cooler. Delk swore that Huff should not be locked up and interfered, laying hold of Barnes first. Barnes released the prisoner to protect himself against Delk who had turned his attention to Huff and the marshal and Barnes again came to the rescue.
"While laying hold of Huff, Huff made a pass at Barnes with an open knife, cutting him on the left side, making a second thrust burying the knife in the muscle of Barnes's left arm. Barnes left at once for Dr. Northrup's office.
"In the meantime, Marshal Boles struggled with Huff and Delk. Huff plunged his knife into the marshal's back, inflicting a deep wound, freeing himself from the officer's hold, then discharged a revolver given to him by Delk, at Marshal Boles. But, Boles was too quick and returned first at Huff sending him crashing to the ground.
"Delk started to flee, but the marshal commanded him to halt three times. Delk continued his retreat and Boles fired after him striking him in the right hip. Huff, all the while was lying on the ground grappling with death and in about half an hour the grim reaper claimed the victory.
"On the following Sunday the verdict was reached that on the 22nd day of August, from a pistol shot in the hands of the city marshal, in self defense, in the discharge of his official duty, he (Huff) came to death.
"The deceased left a wife and two children. It is intimated that Mrs. Huff will prosecute the saloon keeper that sold her husband liquor. That is just what she should do and the temperance people of Valley Falls should assist her. Will they do it?"
Valley Falls New Era, Sept. 3, 1885, "Mary A. Huff, wife of deceased A.C. Huff, brought a $10,000 suit against Frank LaFontaine and Henry Senn, saloon keepers, charging them with selling liquor to her husband, the same being held to be the inciting cause of the tragedy which robbed Mr. Huff of his life."
Valley Falls New Era, Oct. 22, 1885, "The suit brought in the district court by Mrs. Mary Huff for $10,000 damages against LaFontaine and Senn, the Valley Falls saloon keepers, resulted in a verdict of $1,250 for Mrs. Huff."
The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.
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