1904: telephone exchange, good ice, deaths of two young women, business listing

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, President, society president

From The New Era, 1904

The fourth year of the 20th century apparently started off with little or no fanfare. The Valley Falls New Era, Jan. 1, 1904, without even a "Happy New Year" reported only "We are informed that Valley Falls will soon have another meat market" and "L.R. Strawn was in from Half Mound yesterday. He is quite enthusiastic over a telephone line that is being built in that locality."

The Jan. 8 New Era followed with a positive progressive report "for some time the telephone exchange to this city has been undergoing quite extensive repairs and improvement under the management of J.A. Zimmerman, the local manager of the independent company. The work is about completed. The exchange is now nicely quartered in the room over Schuler & Son's Furniture Store."

Deaths, marriages, and local everyday events were reported in the normal manner.

Continuing, New Era, Jan. 22, 1904, "Some weeks ago, Ben Shively, one of our busy blacksmiths, had the misfortune to break one of his toes."

Jan. 29, 1904, "The weather has been very favorable for the ice men. They are filling their ice houses with congealed moisture about 8 inches thick."

Feb. 5, 1904, "The burning out of a chimney at the Commercial House yesterday noon brought out the fire department."

Continuing, same publication, same year:
March 18, "The New Century Hotel has opened to the public under the management of Mrs. Hinkle."

April 1, "George D. Bennen and Miss Bertha Palmer, colored, were united in marriage at the colored M.E. Church, Thursday evening, Rev. L. Thomas officiating. These young folks are well and favorably known in this city, having always lived here. The groom has been the faithful servant of A.D. Kendall for years, while the bride has been in the employ of the Geo. Goodrich people."

April 15, "The Independent telephone company of this place has had connection with Kansas City since Wednesday. Will Hauck was the first man to make use of the new connection. G.W. McComas, at Delaware Lumber Yard, Valley Falls."

May 13, "The graduating class is composed of six girls and two boys."

June 10, "DIED – Mrs. Bertha Bennen was born in Kansas City, Kan., July 27, 1885, and died in Valley Falls June 3, 1904, aged 18 years, 10 months, and six days. She came to Valley Falls in 1889, and had many friends in this city. She was married to George Bennen March 30, 1904. The funeral services were held at the Second M.E. Church, Rev. L. Thomas officiating."

June 24, KILLED BY LIGHTNING — On Monday morning about 6 o'clock, during the heavy rain storm just east of town, Mrs. Clara Royer stepped out into the yard to attend to her young chickens, when about 30 feet from the door under a large maple tree, she was struck by lightning and instantly killed.

"Clara Agnes McComas was born in Hancock County, Ind., May 20, 1883, and was stricken dead at her home June 20, 1904. When she was but two years old, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. G.W. McComas, came to Kansas and settled on a farm some nine miles southwest of Valley Falls, where she spent her childhood days, some five years with her parents, came to town where she lived until the time of her marriage. On December 5, 1900, she was united in marriage to Mr. Clarence Royer and soon moved to the farm home where she met her death. To them was born one child, Ester Agnes, aged 22 months, who with husband, father, mother, brother, and sister, is left to mourn. The funeral was preached by G.W. Braden."

July 8, "Monday, July 4, was rather quiet in the city, there being no celebration of any kind, but then we will make up for it tenfold during the carnival in September."

A list of businesses and merchants in mid-year 1904, included: E.L. Overhosler, The Cash Clothing House; Doolittle and Co., hardware; E.N. Kennedy, millinery; W.S. Buker, jeweler and optician; Alex Kerr, groceries; H.H. Mitchell, fresh meats; Delaware Lumber, Good Dry Lumber; Benedix Store, variety store; Frank Monter, contractor and builder; New Century Barber Shop, first door east of P.O.; Hildebrand and Lewis, barbers; Kemper Mercantile Dry Goods; W.W. VanLiew, cabinet work and planing mill; E.E. Nelson, physician and surgeon; T.K. Aitken, D.D.S., dentist; and W.A. Aitken, physician and surgeon.

Next — Carnival and electric lights.

The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 22.