"Whole affair a perfect success"
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Reminiscent of early times the life and fate of early landmarks come to mind. An Oskaloosa Times 1901 article titled "The Passing of an Old Landmark," reporting the tearing down of the Cataract Hotel, the first hotel of renown of Grasshopper/Valley Falls stirred memories for A.G. Patrick, Valley Falls' early day resident, adventurer, businessman, and might be declared self-claimed historian. He gave the following facts to F.C. Scott, publisher for the Valley Falls New Era, Dec. 7, 1901:
"During the excitement of the spring of 1857, the citizens of then Grasshopper Falls, as well as others interested in the growth of the place, got together and offered inducements for the building of a commodious hotel. The McCarger Brothers, about this time, came along and offered to accept 24 lots, which was agreed by all parties interested. The lumber was immediately procured and the carpenters put to work. Simon C. Gephart and George Outwater having the contract.
"When the building was completed, everyone around the Falls felt proud of their fine public enterprise, and the general conclusion of the 'boys' was that the building should be dedicated by a grand ball.
"Tickets were issued and invitations sent far and near and the whole affair was a perfect success. The cakes alone that adorned the table cost over $100. There was a fine company present and a dancing accommodation for six sets of cotillions. Those days all were in for healthy and enlivening amusements, and but few did not participate in the pleasures of the dance.
"Some time during the land sales of that year, McCarger Brothers sold out to W.C. Butts and David Fradenburg, and they to other parties — the first in succession John Beland and then Adam Weiser, Mr. Bliss, Mr. Colvin and the last landlord, J.J. Gardiner.
"During early times, a bar was attached and whiskey drinking and card playing was as free as mountain air and Grasshopper Falls got quite a notoriety for jollification and revelry. Among the frequent visitors were Dr. A.H. Deaver, Bob Shanklin and Tom Terrill, all hailing from a river town called 'Jefferson City' about a mile north of Cedar Falls, a place that had a sickly existence with two shanties, one called a tavern and the other a grog shop and a hole of water to quench the thirst from the rot gut that was dispensed to wayward claim jumpers who happened to pass that way.
"They were all good at cards, especially Tom, who played upon the boys in the way they despised, holding full hands and flushes, and like the 'heathen Chinese' throwing out with a smile so 'childlike and bland'.
"Take down the Cataract House, but you can never efface from our memory old Tom and his periodical uppees; although, when sober, a decent Irishman, who finally gave up whiskey altogether."
The society's museum will be opne at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 8.
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