by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Love conquers all or as reported in the Kansas New Era, Dec. 11, 1873, “Love Under Difficulties” or “Love Laughs at Locks and Keys!”
Editor S. Weaver told the story (with this writer’s omission of some adjectives descriptive of the characters)
“Considerable stir was created in our city by the daughter of Mrs. Easter, one of our colored washer-women, running away from home to get married..
“Harriet Easter, who has been for a long time engaged to the son of ‘old John Anderson’ of our city. The young man left this country about a year ago and went to Fort Hays where he was earning good wages, but felt sad and lonely without his lovely charmer.
“Twice he wrote to her to come to him and each time sent money to pay her fare but each time her mother took possession of the money and forbade her daughter going. At last, the young man applied to an Army officer at the fort, a son of one of our citizens, for council.
“The officer sent money to pay the girl’s fare from here to Fort Hays, to his father with instructions how to proceed.
“The girl was informed that the money was here, but such was her dread of her mother’s wrath that she dared not make a start without somebody to protect her . . . She applied to Squire Clark, and claimed to be over 21 years old. The justice told her she was of age and could go where she pleased, but beyond sending a constable with her to the train, he could do nothing for her.
“The girl went home and was packing her extra clothes when she heard the whistle of the train at the depot and immediately started on a dead run down Broadway. The gentleman who had her money and Constable Boles saw her pass like a flash, and they followed her in hot haste. As they neared the depot, the train was pulling out at the rate of ten miles per hour, but the girl, by cutting across corners met the passing train and was jerked aboard by Conductor Sheperd.
“The money was thrown in after her, and we presume by this time she is the happy wife of young Anderson.
“A short time after the girl’s escape, the old woman came down town in eager search for the lost one, and when informed of her flight, her fury knew no bounds.
“After spending about an hour in heaping maledictions on the heads of all she thought concerned in it, she went home still breathing vengeance and swearing she would fill with buckshot the man who gave the girl the money.”
December 09, 2009
December 03, 2009
A knotty story
by Frank Shrimplin and Betty Jane Wilson
An intense interest in things nautical, specifically knot tying, proved not for naught for an ambitious young seaman volunteer in 1942.
The 19-year-old Merchant Marine graduate was assigned to convoys going to North Africa. The long tedious journey afforded the sailor time to study from books he purchased and learn to make knots.
The results of his skill and handiwork he mounted on a 30-by-40-inch nautical board roughly 100 examples of types of knots tagged with their identification.
Simple names, such as square knot, granny’s, shoelace knot, and catspaw may be found along side a curiously labeled “four strand inverted turk’s head.”
A frame work 4 inches or more in depth enclosing the knot collection is a unique work of art employing slender strands of ship’s rope or hemp threaded or knotted tightly together occasionally embellished by thickly woven replicas of types of knots.
The enterprising sailor responsible for the nautical board master piece was Howard Irvin Shrimplin, an Oskalooa farm boy who volunteered for military service soon after the Dec. 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor disaster.
One of the four nautical boards he made is on permanent display at the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum. Sharing honors with the three others given to museums in Haifa, Israel, South Africa, and the Maritime Museum, Newport News, Va.
Biographical and historic facts for this “knotty” story were provided by Frank Shrimplin, brother of the seaman and society historian.
Roz Jackson and Betty Jane Wilson will be museum hosts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.
An intense interest in things nautical, specifically knot tying, proved not for naught for an ambitious young seaman volunteer in 1942.
The 19-year-old Merchant Marine graduate was assigned to convoys going to North Africa. The long tedious journey afforded the sailor time to study from books he purchased and learn to make knots.
The results of his skill and handiwork he mounted on a 30-by-40-inch nautical board roughly 100 examples of types of knots tagged with their identification.
Simple names, such as square knot, granny’s, shoelace knot, and catspaw may be found along side a curiously labeled “four strand inverted turk’s head.”
A frame work 4 inches or more in depth enclosing the knot collection is a unique work of art employing slender strands of ship’s rope or hemp threaded or knotted tightly together occasionally embellished by thickly woven replicas of types of knots.
The enterprising sailor responsible for the nautical board master piece was Howard Irvin Shrimplin, an Oskalooa farm boy who volunteered for military service soon after the Dec. 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor disaster.
One of the four nautical boards he made is on permanent display at the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum. Sharing honors with the three others given to museums in Haifa, Israel, South Africa, and the Maritime Museum, Newport News, Va.
Biographical and historic facts for this “knotty” story were provided by Frank Shrimplin, brother of the seaman and society historian.
Roz Jackson and Betty Jane Wilson will be museum hosts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.
November 19, 2009
Happenings: early 1884
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
January 1884 welcomed a New Year and a new editor for the Valley Falls New Era, predecessor of the Valley Falls Vindicator.
Salutatory from R.E. Van Meter, editor and prop.:
“In assuming control of the New Era, we feel that we take upon us no little responsibility, as to mold public opinion, in great measure, is the province of the press, and to carry out that mission to the edification of all interests effected thereby, is a task which cannot be lightly regarded, even by the most competent. As touching the whiskey question, The New Era, whatever may have been its position heretofore, will be boldly and fearlessly in favor of the enforcement of the prohibition law, just the same as any other law. Politically, it has, we believe been essentially a Republican paper and such it will continue to be under its new management.”
Writer’s Note: The historian gleaning the notes of the past from the newspapers noted:
“Every article by this editor is necessarily condensed by me as he tends to make an essay of all articles.”
In addition to the traditional birth, death, marriages, and social events news coverage, the new editor cited examples of city improvement, church activities, and progress, less than favorable incidents and the fate of the drinking establishments.
Jan. 3, 1884: “Street Commissioner Young had a force of men at work blasting out rock and grading down the hill this side of Peter’s Creek. The rock taken out will be used in macadamizing Broadway from Bliss’s Store to the depot.
Jan. 17, 1884: “There are still a few whiskey joints in Valley Falls. It would be well for them to go soon, for they eventually will.”
Feb. 14, 1884: The colored Baptists had a very successful festival Thursday evening at Old Turner Hall on Sycamore Street. Their church is in very prosperous condition.”
Jan. 3, 1884: “Boos To a Church” The Valley Falls liberals are dismayed at the rapidity with which the Methodists of that town have restored their church. It was destroyed by a cyclone last summer and some of the so-called liberals predicted it would not be restored, as they pretended to see in its demolition an indication that God wanted no Methodist Churches in town.”
From the Atchison Champion follow up: Jan. 17, 1884, New Era: Friends of the Methodists will be pleased to learn that the new church is to be dedicated the 27th . . . Services of the Baptist and Congregational Churches will be dispensed with on that day in order that all who desire may join the Methodists.
Feb. 7, 1884: Booze in the Alley. Three roughs from the country were in town Saturday night and made beasts of themselves. By some means they got hold of a keg of whiskey, took it into the alley . . . where they pounded in the head and dished out the contents by the dipperful to all who were inclined to drink. It didn’t take long for old topers to get their hides soaked full, and many who are not in the habit of getting on real “benders” became quite boozy and the situation was one of the most ridiculous to contemplate.”
“Results of the Prohibition Law at a later time.”
Lesa Brose, Joan Reichart, and Anita Stutesman will be historical society museum hosts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. Admission is free.
January 1884 welcomed a New Year and a new editor for the Valley Falls New Era, predecessor of the Valley Falls Vindicator.
Salutatory from R.E. Van Meter, editor and prop.:
“In assuming control of the New Era, we feel that we take upon us no little responsibility, as to mold public opinion, in great measure, is the province of the press, and to carry out that mission to the edification of all interests effected thereby, is a task which cannot be lightly regarded, even by the most competent. As touching the whiskey question, The New Era, whatever may have been its position heretofore, will be boldly and fearlessly in favor of the enforcement of the prohibition law, just the same as any other law. Politically, it has, we believe been essentially a Republican paper and such it will continue to be under its new management.”
Writer’s Note: The historian gleaning the notes of the past from the newspapers noted:
“Every article by this editor is necessarily condensed by me as he tends to make an essay of all articles.”
In addition to the traditional birth, death, marriages, and social events news coverage, the new editor cited examples of city improvement, church activities, and progress, less than favorable incidents and the fate of the drinking establishments.
Jan. 3, 1884: “Street Commissioner Young had a force of men at work blasting out rock and grading down the hill this side of Peter’s Creek. The rock taken out will be used in macadamizing Broadway from Bliss’s Store to the depot.
Jan. 17, 1884: “There are still a few whiskey joints in Valley Falls. It would be well for them to go soon, for they eventually will.”
Feb. 14, 1884: The colored Baptists had a very successful festival Thursday evening at Old Turner Hall on Sycamore Street. Their church is in very prosperous condition.”
Jan. 3, 1884: “Boos To a Church” The Valley Falls liberals are dismayed at the rapidity with which the Methodists of that town have restored their church. It was destroyed by a cyclone last summer and some of the so-called liberals predicted it would not be restored, as they pretended to see in its demolition an indication that God wanted no Methodist Churches in town.”
From the Atchison Champion follow up: Jan. 17, 1884, New Era: Friends of the Methodists will be pleased to learn that the new church is to be dedicated the 27th . . . Services of the Baptist and Congregational Churches will be dispensed with on that day in order that all who desire may join the Methodists.
Feb. 7, 1884: Booze in the Alley. Three roughs from the country were in town Saturday night and made beasts of themselves. By some means they got hold of a keg of whiskey, took it into the alley . . . where they pounded in the head and dished out the contents by the dipperful to all who were inclined to drink. It didn’t take long for old topers to get their hides soaked full, and many who are not in the habit of getting on real “benders” became quite boozy and the situation was one of the most ridiculous to contemplate.”
“Results of the Prohibition Law at a later time.”
Lesa Brose, Joan Reichart, and Anita Stutesman will be historical society museum hosts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. Admission is free.
November 06, 2009
Feature article on society president
Our local newspaper, The Valley Falls Vindicator, published a feature article about Betty Jane Wilson, the society's president.
Click here to view the article on the Vindicator's site: Society president dives into town's past
Click here to view the article on the Vindicator's site: Society president dives into town's past
November 05, 2009
Happenings: November 1873
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Pessimism, optimism, criticism, and a sundry of matters comprised the 1873 November issues of the Kansas New Era (predecessor to the Valley Falls Vindicator. Editor, S. Weaver, predicted in the Nov. 13 issue:
“A hard winter is coming; poverty, misery, and crime will be abundant, Therefore, be generous to the poor and keep your stable locked.
“Potatoes, $1.25 per bushel, apples, $1.50, and money so scarce that three nickles makes a man rich.
“Every night the lurid blazes of burning prairies light up the horizon in every direction. At this season of the year, farmers should keep a careful watch on their hay stacks and out buildings and be prepared at all time to fight the fire:
Nov. 27:
“We had a fine rain last Saturday and it was repeated on Sunday night. This is encouraging to farmers who have fall wheat sown or fall plowing to do.
“Last Saturday and Sunday the need of side walks or ferry boats on the north side of Broadway was strongly demonstrated.
“Some of the people who come to town are exceedingly careless. They will drive their team in front of a store door, then jump off and run into the store without hitching the horses. There would have been a run off and a break up the other day had it not been that a pedestrian was more careful of the team than the owner.
“A thieving cow . . . a few nights ago an old cow took into her head to steal a bridle. She wrapped it around her horns and carried it off, . . . she carried it around town until after sun up; finally she laid it down near Nolker’s wagon shop. A gentleman picked it up and brought it to this office. The owner can have it by proving property and paying for this notice.”
Nov. 13:
A cow thief . . . “One night, nearly a month ago, some fellow went to John Wunder’s cow yard and drove away two cows. The same night, a man by the name of A.J. Smith sold two cows to Henry Priddy at Larkin Station. The cows answered the description of the cows taken from Mr. Wunder. They were shipped to a butcher in Leavenworth. . . Smith was arrested and brought before Justice Clark of this city. . . He was bound over under a bond of $1,000, but being unable to furnish the requisite security, was committed to jail.”
Nov. 27, 1875: “Today, Thursday, is Thanksgiving Day. Give Thanks.”
Dodie Bolz, Ella May Holding, and Dee Bayless will be Valley Falls Historical Society Museum hostesses from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7.
Pessimism, optimism, criticism, and a sundry of matters comprised the 1873 November issues of the Kansas New Era (predecessor to the Valley Falls Vindicator. Editor, S. Weaver, predicted in the Nov. 13 issue:
“A hard winter is coming; poverty, misery, and crime will be abundant, Therefore, be generous to the poor and keep your stable locked.
“Potatoes, $1.25 per bushel, apples, $1.50, and money so scarce that three nickles makes a man rich.
“Every night the lurid blazes of burning prairies light up the horizon in every direction. At this season of the year, farmers should keep a careful watch on their hay stacks and out buildings and be prepared at all time to fight the fire:
Nov. 27:
“We had a fine rain last Saturday and it was repeated on Sunday night. This is encouraging to farmers who have fall wheat sown or fall plowing to do.
“Last Saturday and Sunday the need of side walks or ferry boats on the north side of Broadway was strongly demonstrated.
“Some of the people who come to town are exceedingly careless. They will drive their team in front of a store door, then jump off and run into the store without hitching the horses. There would have been a run off and a break up the other day had it not been that a pedestrian was more careful of the team than the owner.
“A thieving cow . . . a few nights ago an old cow took into her head to steal a bridle. She wrapped it around her horns and carried it off, . . . she carried it around town until after sun up; finally she laid it down near Nolker’s wagon shop. A gentleman picked it up and brought it to this office. The owner can have it by proving property and paying for this notice.”
Nov. 13:
A cow thief . . . “One night, nearly a month ago, some fellow went to John Wunder’s cow yard and drove away two cows. The same night, a man by the name of A.J. Smith sold two cows to Henry Priddy at Larkin Station. The cows answered the description of the cows taken from Mr. Wunder. They were shipped to a butcher in Leavenworth. . . Smith was arrested and brought before Justice Clark of this city. . . He was bound over under a bond of $1,000, but being unable to furnish the requisite security, was committed to jail.”
Nov. 27, 1875: “Today, Thursday, is Thanksgiving Day. Give Thanks.”
Dodie Bolz, Ella May Holding, and Dee Bayless will be Valley Falls Historical Society Museum hostesses from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7.
October 23, 2009
42nd annual meeting
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
The Valley Falls Historical Society’s 42nd annual meeting and dinner were held Oct. 11 at The Barn Bed and Breakfast Inn.
The following officers and directors were elected for the 2009-2010 fiscal year: Betty Jane Wilson, president; Lesa Brose, vice president; Maxine Hefty, secretary; Gary Coleman, treasurer; Kyle Quasebarth, James Durand, Joan Reichart, and Rosalind Jackson, directors; and Frank Shrimplin, historian.
Entertainment featured the Lecompton Re-enactors, a theatrical group of amateur historians garbed in period costumes who created a townhall atmosphere revealing personalities and opinions, both male and female, which existed in the Kansas Territory from 1854 to 1861.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. Admission is free.
The Valley Falls Historical Society’s 42nd annual meeting and dinner were held Oct. 11 at The Barn Bed and Breakfast Inn.
The following officers and directors were elected for the 2009-2010 fiscal year: Betty Jane Wilson, president; Lesa Brose, vice president; Maxine Hefty, secretary; Gary Coleman, treasurer; Kyle Quasebarth, James Durand, Joan Reichart, and Rosalind Jackson, directors; and Frank Shrimplin, historian.
Entertainment featured the Lecompton Re-enactors, a theatrical group of amateur historians garbed in period costumes who created a townhall atmosphere revealing personalities and opinions, both male and female, which existed in the Kansas Territory from 1854 to 1861.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. Admission is free.
October 02, 2009
From the Almanac
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
The household almanac, gem of the family reference texts, unique in dispensation of Zodiac mysteries, chronological cycles, weather conditions, and countless household hints, medical advice, and bits of humor survives the centuries.
No less popular in the late 1890s, The Hostetters Illustrated United States Almanacs provided sage sayings, wit and wisdom in the language of the century as follows:
“There are many ways to convince a man, but the easiest way is to agree with him.”
“Beeswax and salt will make your rusty flat irons as clean and smooth as glass. Lump the wax in a rag and keep for that purpose. When the irons are hot, rub them first with a wax rag, then scour with a paper or cloth sprinkled with salt.”
“What is a cigar, I want you to tell me?” lisped little Tom Brown to his knowing big brother. “It’s a roll,” was the answer, “of silly enchantment, with a fire at one end, and a fool at the other.”
“For ingrowing toe nails, cut the end square and close and scrape with a sharp knife or piece of glass, a line in the center of the top of the nail so thin that only the inner lining of the nail is left. If this is kept up the edges will raise instead of growing down.”
“To make roses bloom, scrape from the chimney or stove pipe where wood is used for fuel, a quantity of soot, put into a vessel and pour boiling water over it. Let it stand for a few days, and then use the liquid to water the earth around the plants. The application should be made every two or three days.”
“When a clock strikes, it’s working, but when a man strikes, he isn’t.”
“The region where no man hath ever set is called tomorrow.”
“Waterproof paste for boots and shoes — Melt in an earthenware pot, 6 parts of spermaceti, add 12 parts of cadutchouc cut up very fine, and when this is dissolved, further add 12 parts of tallow, 4 parts of lard, and 8 parts of amber varnish. Mix and it is ready to use. Apply as ordinary with a brush. It gives a good gloss.”
“The lamb and the lion may lie down together, but the lion will be the only one to get up.”
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3.
2010 calendars are now available at the museum.
The household almanac, gem of the family reference texts, unique in dispensation of Zodiac mysteries, chronological cycles, weather conditions, and countless household hints, medical advice, and bits of humor survives the centuries.
No less popular in the late 1890s, The Hostetters Illustrated United States Almanacs provided sage sayings, wit and wisdom in the language of the century as follows:
“There are many ways to convince a man, but the easiest way is to agree with him.”
“Beeswax and salt will make your rusty flat irons as clean and smooth as glass. Lump the wax in a rag and keep for that purpose. When the irons are hot, rub them first with a wax rag, then scour with a paper or cloth sprinkled with salt.”
“What is a cigar, I want you to tell me?” lisped little Tom Brown to his knowing big brother. “It’s a roll,” was the answer, “of silly enchantment, with a fire at one end, and a fool at the other.”
“For ingrowing toe nails, cut the end square and close and scrape with a sharp knife or piece of glass, a line in the center of the top of the nail so thin that only the inner lining of the nail is left. If this is kept up the edges will raise instead of growing down.”
“To make roses bloom, scrape from the chimney or stove pipe where wood is used for fuel, a quantity of soot, put into a vessel and pour boiling water over it. Let it stand for a few days, and then use the liquid to water the earth around the plants. The application should be made every two or three days.”
“When a clock strikes, it’s working, but when a man strikes, he isn’t.”
“The region where no man hath ever set is called tomorrow.”
“Waterproof paste for boots and shoes — Melt in an earthenware pot, 6 parts of spermaceti, add 12 parts of cadutchouc cut up very fine, and when this is dissolved, further add 12 parts of tallow, 4 parts of lard, and 8 parts of amber varnish. Mix and it is ready to use. Apply as ordinary with a brush. It gives a good gloss.”
“The lamb and the lion may lie down together, but the lion will be the only one to get up.”
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3.
2010 calendars are now available at the museum.
August 27, 2009
A.G. Patrick recalls a buffalo encounter
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
A decade plus, prior to his varied enterprises in Grasshopper Falls, A.G. Patrick, son of a printer, became a very young typesetter and left home at an early age to serve apprenticeship of his trade in Terre Haute, Ind.
He worked as a journeyman printer for numerous newspapers in Kentucky and Indiana. At one time was persuaded to publish a paper; however, lack of financial aid compelled him to relinquish the effort after five issues. Following a short stint in merchandising with his brother, he decided to go to California and joined a company organizing a wagon train.
His experiences and encounters prompted him to write his recollections, which he shared with F. C. Scott, publisher of the Valley Falls New Era, predecessor of the Valley Falls Vindicator.
An early episode he recalled occurred after leaving St. Joseph, Mo., for the gold fields.
“The first buffalo that we met was (sic) in the neighborhood of Ash Hollow on the North Platte, seven- or eight-hundred miles west of St. Joseph. It was a herd of a dozen or so and men on horseback were chasing them in every direction. The thought struck us that we (Note:Patrick is referring to himself in the style often used in those days) might get a shot at one, so we took our gun and walked ahead of the wagons and hid ourself in the tall grass near a pond of water. We did not have to wait long before the old bull buffalo was heading directly for us. The mere thought of his coming made us quite nervous, for we had often heard a wounded buffalo would attack and trample a man to death.
“By the time he was close enough to get a good view, we had a sudden attack of buck ague and with difficulty held on to our gun. His very looks was (sic) enough to frighten anyone, his eyes flashing like balls of fire, tongue protruding from his mouth and snorting for all that was out, his heavy tread making the earth fairly shake.
“What to do revolved quickly in our mind. We were afraid to shoot, as that might be the last of us, so we deliberately threw our gun into the tall grass; jumped into the pond and took a long dive coming up at least a hundred feet away spouting like a porpoise, and on looking around saw the buffalo heading in another direction.
“It took at least five minutes to find our gun, and the next day traded it to an Indian for a pony, not wanting any more buffalo in our sport.”
Jamie and Julie Durand will be hosts at the Valley Falls Historical Society from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29. Admission is free.
A decade plus, prior to his varied enterprises in Grasshopper Falls, A.G. Patrick, son of a printer, became a very young typesetter and left home at an early age to serve apprenticeship of his trade in Terre Haute, Ind.
He worked as a journeyman printer for numerous newspapers in Kentucky and Indiana. At one time was persuaded to publish a paper; however, lack of financial aid compelled him to relinquish the effort after five issues. Following a short stint in merchandising with his brother, he decided to go to California and joined a company organizing a wagon train.
His experiences and encounters prompted him to write his recollections, which he shared with F. C. Scott, publisher of the Valley Falls New Era, predecessor of the Valley Falls Vindicator.
An early episode he recalled occurred after leaving St. Joseph, Mo., for the gold fields.
“The first buffalo that we met was (sic) in the neighborhood of Ash Hollow on the North Platte, seven- or eight-hundred miles west of St. Joseph. It was a herd of a dozen or so and men on horseback were chasing them in every direction. The thought struck us that we (Note:Patrick is referring to himself in the style often used in those days) might get a shot at one, so we took our gun and walked ahead of the wagons and hid ourself in the tall grass near a pond of water. We did not have to wait long before the old bull buffalo was heading directly for us. The mere thought of his coming made us quite nervous, for we had often heard a wounded buffalo would attack and trample a man to death.
“By the time he was close enough to get a good view, we had a sudden attack of buck ague and with difficulty held on to our gun. His very looks was (sic) enough to frighten anyone, his eyes flashing like balls of fire, tongue protruding from his mouth and snorting for all that was out, his heavy tread making the earth fairly shake.
“What to do revolved quickly in our mind. We were afraid to shoot, as that might be the last of us, so we deliberately threw our gun into the tall grass; jumped into the pond and took a long dive coming up at least a hundred feet away spouting like a porpoise, and on looking around saw the buffalo heading in another direction.
“It took at least five minutes to find our gun, and the next day traded it to an Indian for a pony, not wanting any more buffalo in our sport.”
Jamie and Julie Durand will be hosts at the Valley Falls Historical Society from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29. Admission is free.
August 20, 2009
Enemies become 'loving' as doves
Tales from the trail by A.G. Patrick, New Era editor
(Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, Valley Falls Historical Society President)
Prior to settling in Grasshopper Falls in 1856 and chalking up a vast amount of history for the town and Jefferson County, A.G. Patrick caught the gold fever and with nine others formed a company of wagons and oxen for a journey to the “Land of Promise” on the Pacific Coast. The company started from Green Castle, Indiana, on March 1, 1849, and reached “Hangtown,” (Placerville, Calif.) on September 3.
Decades later, Mr. Patrick shared recollections of his experiences with F.C. Scott, editor of the Valley Falls New Era (predecessor to the Vindicator).
Relating his many experiences, he recalled the incident of the Odd Fellows. In Patrick’s company was a man named Bob Hankins who belonged to the Fraternal Order of the Odd Fellows. In the same group was another Odd Fellow named Adamson. According to Patrick, “Between the two there was a constant quarrel, never agreeing on anything, and Bob had threatened a thousand times to kill Adamson.”
“To tell the truth, none of the company liked Adamson, and the fervent prayer of all was that Bob might muster up courage enough some day to commit the deed. . . One evening Bob and Adamson had a high old time and Bob came to us swearing vengeance, and that he was determined to kill Adamson the very next morning and wanted us to accompany him and see that the job was done. In agreeing to accompany Bob, it was with no murderous intent upon our part, but for the fun that might come out of it, knowing that when it came to a pinch he would flunk.”
Bob and Patrick, out early the next morning, found a secluded spot from which Bob could attack Adamson who rode his horse ahead of the wagons. Finally, he was seen half a mile off!
In Patrick’s words, “The closer Adamson got, the more Bob trembled. He had his pistol out, cocked and ready, and by the time Adamson got within twenty yards, somehow or other the thundering pistol went off, shooting Bob in the heel.
“He rolled and tumbled on the grass and made a terrible to-do. As Adamson rode up and dismounted, we looked for Bob to shoot, but instead he piteously cried, ‘Oh, Brother Adamson, I have shot myself! What in the world am I to do?’
‘Keep a good cheer, my brother’ said Adamson. ‘You can ride my horse and I will walk.’
“Bob bawled like a calf and with tears running down his cheeks, exclaimed ‘Oh, Brother Adamson, you are so good and kind to me. I don’t see how I will ever be able to repay you!
“While this was all going on, there we stood, a silent listener and spectator, we actually mean and dejected, fully determined never to be again inveigled to accompany one Odd Fellow to kill another. From that time on, the two Odd Fellows were loving as a pair of doves. That little episode fully convinced us ‘never give advice or act as mediator . . . !” A.G. Patrick
Galen Reichart, Glenn Lester, and Engelbert Heuertz will be museum hosts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22.
(Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, Valley Falls Historical Society President)
Prior to settling in Grasshopper Falls in 1856 and chalking up a vast amount of history for the town and Jefferson County, A.G. Patrick caught the gold fever and with nine others formed a company of wagons and oxen for a journey to the “Land of Promise” on the Pacific Coast. The company started from Green Castle, Indiana, on March 1, 1849, and reached “Hangtown,” (Placerville, Calif.) on September 3.
Decades later, Mr. Patrick shared recollections of his experiences with F.C. Scott, editor of the Valley Falls New Era (predecessor to the Vindicator).
Relating his many experiences, he recalled the incident of the Odd Fellows. In Patrick’s company was a man named Bob Hankins who belonged to the Fraternal Order of the Odd Fellows. In the same group was another Odd Fellow named Adamson. According to Patrick, “Between the two there was a constant quarrel, never agreeing on anything, and Bob had threatened a thousand times to kill Adamson.”
“To tell the truth, none of the company liked Adamson, and the fervent prayer of all was that Bob might muster up courage enough some day to commit the deed. . . One evening Bob and Adamson had a high old time and Bob came to us swearing vengeance, and that he was determined to kill Adamson the very next morning and wanted us to accompany him and see that the job was done. In agreeing to accompany Bob, it was with no murderous intent upon our part, but for the fun that might come out of it, knowing that when it came to a pinch he would flunk.”
Bob and Patrick, out early the next morning, found a secluded spot from which Bob could attack Adamson who rode his horse ahead of the wagons. Finally, he was seen half a mile off!
In Patrick’s words, “The closer Adamson got, the more Bob trembled. He had his pistol out, cocked and ready, and by the time Adamson got within twenty yards, somehow or other the thundering pistol went off, shooting Bob in the heel.
“He rolled and tumbled on the grass and made a terrible to-do. As Adamson rode up and dismounted, we looked for Bob to shoot, but instead he piteously cried, ‘Oh, Brother Adamson, I have shot myself! What in the world am I to do?’
‘Keep a good cheer, my brother’ said Adamson. ‘You can ride my horse and I will walk.’
“Bob bawled like a calf and with tears running down his cheeks, exclaimed ‘Oh, Brother Adamson, you are so good and kind to me. I don’t see how I will ever be able to repay you!
“While this was all going on, there we stood, a silent listener and spectator, we actually mean and dejected, fully determined never to be again inveigled to accompany one Odd Fellow to kill another. From that time on, the two Odd Fellows were loving as a pair of doves. That little episode fully convinced us ‘never give advice or act as mediator . . . !” A.G. Patrick
Galen Reichart, Glenn Lester, and Engelbert Heuertz will be museum hosts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22.
August 13, 2009
A.G. Patrick recalls Harry Hoover
compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
A.G. Patrick was an 1856 Grasshopper Falls (Valley Falls) settler, avid abolitionist, adventurer, later postmaster, mayor, short-time editor of The Valley Falls New Era and one-time prisoner of pro-slavery sympathizers at Lecompton. He recalled events of his personal history with short sketches of well-known characters he encountered.
Of one Patrick wrote “Harry Hoover, in 1855-56 lived on the Delaware River about half way between Ozawkie and Valley Falls. He was arrested by U.S. troops and put with Hickory Point prisoners at Lecompton.
“He was a tall, uncouth looking specimen. He wore an old white fur, bell crowned hat, making him look at least seven feet tall, and in appearance not altogether unlike “Uncle Sam” as portrayed by pictures in papers nowadays.
“Hoover’s hair was long and unkempt, and the luxurious growth of it on his face hid everything but a low forehead, eyes and nose. His pants were altogether too short, and his feet no socks, but he wore an old pair of moccasins made out of green cowhide.
“After prison, he was a frequent visitor to the town (Valley Falls), always making his appearance barefooted. His droll and comical looks attracted the attention of the boys and they would follow him from place to place as vehement and noisy as a pack of hounds in a fox chase.
“Hoover was a regular glutton, the boys often chipping in and buying sugar and they liked to see how much the fellow would eat. He crammed down five pounds easily at a sitting. He had a good digestive apparatus, and a stomach like an ostrich, and to test the matter further, the boys gave up sugar, candies and the like, and tried him on eggs. Five dozen raw was an easy matter without any show of an overdose. Hard boiled ones were the next test, two dozen to begin with, and then another dozen added, and to cap the climax, on a wager, he crammed down another dozen, shells and all! A man with such a capacious and unbounded stomach, to fill him up was like pouring water down a rat hole.”
Source: Valley Falls News Era, Jan. 25, 1902
A.G. Patrick was an 1856 Grasshopper Falls (Valley Falls) settler, avid abolitionist, adventurer, later postmaster, mayor, short-time editor of The Valley Falls New Era and one-time prisoner of pro-slavery sympathizers at Lecompton. He recalled events of his personal history with short sketches of well-known characters he encountered.
Of one Patrick wrote “Harry Hoover, in 1855-56 lived on the Delaware River about half way between Ozawkie and Valley Falls. He was arrested by U.S. troops and put with Hickory Point prisoners at Lecompton.
“He was a tall, uncouth looking specimen. He wore an old white fur, bell crowned hat, making him look at least seven feet tall, and in appearance not altogether unlike “Uncle Sam” as portrayed by pictures in papers nowadays.
“Hoover’s hair was long and unkempt, and the luxurious growth of it on his face hid everything but a low forehead, eyes and nose. His pants were altogether too short, and his feet no socks, but he wore an old pair of moccasins made out of green cowhide.
“After prison, he was a frequent visitor to the town (Valley Falls), always making his appearance barefooted. His droll and comical looks attracted the attention of the boys and they would follow him from place to place as vehement and noisy as a pack of hounds in a fox chase.
“Hoover was a regular glutton, the boys often chipping in and buying sugar and they liked to see how much the fellow would eat. He crammed down five pounds easily at a sitting. He had a good digestive apparatus, and a stomach like an ostrich, and to test the matter further, the boys gave up sugar, candies and the like, and tried him on eggs. Five dozen raw was an easy matter without any show of an overdose. Hard boiled ones were the next test, two dozen to begin with, and then another dozen added, and to cap the climax, on a wager, he crammed down another dozen, shells and all! A man with such a capacious and unbounded stomach, to fill him up was like pouring water down a rat hole.”
Source: Valley Falls News Era, Jan. 25, 1902
July 09, 2009
The Octagon Hotel
by Clarke Davis
Valley Falls had an octagon-shaped hotel called The Octagon in the 19th century.
It was built by a frontier doctor who came here long before the railroad and only four years after Kansas Territory was opened to white settlers.
Librarian Kay Lassiter has now discovered in her reading why he built an eight-sided structure. It was simply the “in thing” at that time.
In Paul Collins’ “The Trouble with Tom,” a book about Thomas Paine, she discovered Orson Fowler, a phrenologist and social reformer who lectured and published a lot from 1834 to 1889.
Besides convincing people to be vegetarians, he also thought they should live in eight-sided houses, which he promoted as a “Home for All: Or a New, Cheap, Convenient, and Superior Mode of Building.”
Collins writes, “Scattered across the United States to this day are a motley collection of half-baked gingerbread Victorians built by Fowler’s disciples. They go by local nicknames like the Bandbox, the Inkwell, or — less imaginatively — the Octagon House.”
Fowler looked to nature for the perfect shape and found mostly spherical things like an egg. But building a house and bending the wall like a barrel, he thought, would be too difficult. But local carpenters were skilled enough to build an octagon.
Fowler also looked back to Thomas Jefferson who built an octagonal house for his daughter with a pair of octagonal outhouses.
They allowed more windows, thus were lighter and healthier and good health was necessary for the moral improvement of the world.
The octagon was a hit. Henry Ward Beecher built one, P.T. Barnum built one. Clarence Darrow spent his childhood in one. The group that Fowler appealed to mostly was doctors and ministers.
The movement spawned the Vegetarian Settlement Company that had the intent to build an Octagon City in Kansas. Prospective settlers committed $50 to $10,000 into the enterprise, but utopia would escape them. The expected fairyland turned into death and dispair.
Dr. Lorenzo Northrup began building an Octagon House in Valley Falls in 1858. It was located in Block 21 where the Ryan Shaw Body Shop and Old Elevator saloon are now in operation.
The foundation and corners were stone and the walls a mixture of concrete and stone. The rooms were finished with black walnut. The house was built for a residence, but became a hotel with Dr. Northrup as the proprietor.
Northrup designed the house himself. Each side of the octagon was 16 feet. It was two stories high with a basement, eight gables, a cupalo, and observatory. There were 20 rooms in the house.
One source put the cost at $20,000 but it took several years to build and the doctor wasn’t sure how much he did have invested in the home. It was completed in 1865 and became a hotel in 1872.
The doctor owned the bottom farm east of his house and here he started a brickyard, made brick and got together many cords of wood. The floods of 1858 sent the whole business down the river.
The Octagon House was destroyed by fire March 5, 1905.
Dr. Lorenzo Northrup, one of the pioneer physicians in Kansas and one who figured prominently with the early history of Jefferson County, was a native of New York. He was born May 10, 1819.
According to history recorded by the Valley Falls Historical Society, his maternal grandfather was a musician in the Revolutionary War. Lorenzo was educated at the Homer Academy in New York. In 1840, he entered on the study of medicine, attended the Willoughby Medical School, and in 1843 commenced to practice.
His first practice was in Ravenna, Ohio. At this time the treatment of strabismus, or cross eyes, was in its infancy. Northrup was among the first to introduce it into practice, and became very successful. He attained a wide reputation for proficiency as an anatomist, and skill as a surgeon. He removed from Ravenna to Limaville, Ohio, continuing his practice there for a time, thence to Newcastle, Pa., and after a temporary sojourn, returned to Limaville, residing there until 1853, when he came to Kansas.
He located in what was then Grasshopper Falls, where he successfully practiced medicine and surgery. In 1857, he built a schoolhouse here, and employed a teacher at his own expense, so deeply was he interested in the education of not only his own family, but the children of his neighbors. This was the first school in the town, and was conceded to be the first in the county.
He was a member of the school board for four consecutive terms, and largely through his exertions and contributions the first stone schoolhouse was built.
Politically, the doctor was a Whig and a strong Anti-slavery man. When he came to Kansas he identified himself with the Free-state party and acted with the Republican party, since its organization.
He married Jane Gray Brooke, of Ellsworth, Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1844. She was the daughter of James Brooke. Her grandfather Brooke was a citizen of Maryland and was the first man in the state to manumit his slaves, being compelled under the then existing laws of the state to become responsible for their conduct.
Dr. Northrup and wife had five children, Hester M. B., Elmer B., Kirtland B., Daniel B., and Kate.
Valley Falls had an octagon-shaped hotel called The Octagon in the 19th century.
It was built by a frontier doctor who came here long before the railroad and only four years after Kansas Territory was opened to white settlers.
Librarian Kay Lassiter has now discovered in her reading why he built an eight-sided structure. It was simply the “in thing” at that time.
In Paul Collins’ “The Trouble with Tom,” a book about Thomas Paine, she discovered Orson Fowler, a phrenologist and social reformer who lectured and published a lot from 1834 to 1889.
Besides convincing people to be vegetarians, he also thought they should live in eight-sided houses, which he promoted as a “Home for All: Or a New, Cheap, Convenient, and Superior Mode of Building.”
Collins writes, “Scattered across the United States to this day are a motley collection of half-baked gingerbread Victorians built by Fowler’s disciples. They go by local nicknames like the Bandbox, the Inkwell, or — less imaginatively — the Octagon House.”
Fowler looked to nature for the perfect shape and found mostly spherical things like an egg. But building a house and bending the wall like a barrel, he thought, would be too difficult. But local carpenters were skilled enough to build an octagon.
Fowler also looked back to Thomas Jefferson who built an octagonal house for his daughter with a pair of octagonal outhouses.
They allowed more windows, thus were lighter and healthier and good health was necessary for the moral improvement of the world.
The octagon was a hit. Henry Ward Beecher built one, P.T. Barnum built one. Clarence Darrow spent his childhood in one. The group that Fowler appealed to mostly was doctors and ministers.
The movement spawned the Vegetarian Settlement Company that had the intent to build an Octagon City in Kansas. Prospective settlers committed $50 to $10,000 into the enterprise, but utopia would escape them. The expected fairyland turned into death and dispair.
Dr. Lorenzo Northrup began building an Octagon House in Valley Falls in 1858. It was located in Block 21 where the Ryan Shaw Body Shop and Old Elevator saloon are now in operation.
The foundation and corners were stone and the walls a mixture of concrete and stone. The rooms were finished with black walnut. The house was built for a residence, but became a hotel with Dr. Northrup as the proprietor.
Northrup designed the house himself. Each side of the octagon was 16 feet. It was two stories high with a basement, eight gables, a cupalo, and observatory. There were 20 rooms in the house.
One source put the cost at $20,000 but it took several years to build and the doctor wasn’t sure how much he did have invested in the home. It was completed in 1865 and became a hotel in 1872.
The doctor owned the bottom farm east of his house and here he started a brickyard, made brick and got together many cords of wood. The floods of 1858 sent the whole business down the river.
The Octagon House was destroyed by fire March 5, 1905.
Dr. Lorenzo Northrup, one of the pioneer physicians in Kansas and one who figured prominently with the early history of Jefferson County, was a native of New York. He was born May 10, 1819.
According to history recorded by the Valley Falls Historical Society, his maternal grandfather was a musician in the Revolutionary War. Lorenzo was educated at the Homer Academy in New York. In 1840, he entered on the study of medicine, attended the Willoughby Medical School, and in 1843 commenced to practice.
His first practice was in Ravenna, Ohio. At this time the treatment of strabismus, or cross eyes, was in its infancy. Northrup was among the first to introduce it into practice, and became very successful. He attained a wide reputation for proficiency as an anatomist, and skill as a surgeon. He removed from Ravenna to Limaville, Ohio, continuing his practice there for a time, thence to Newcastle, Pa., and after a temporary sojourn, returned to Limaville, residing there until 1853, when he came to Kansas.
He located in what was then Grasshopper Falls, where he successfully practiced medicine and surgery. In 1857, he built a schoolhouse here, and employed a teacher at his own expense, so deeply was he interested in the education of not only his own family, but the children of his neighbors. This was the first school in the town, and was conceded to be the first in the county.
He was a member of the school board for four consecutive terms, and largely through his exertions and contributions the first stone schoolhouse was built.
Politically, the doctor was a Whig and a strong Anti-slavery man. When he came to Kansas he identified himself with the Free-state party and acted with the Republican party, since its organization.
He married Jane Gray Brooke, of Ellsworth, Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1844. She was the daughter of James Brooke. Her grandfather Brooke was a citizen of Maryland and was the first man in the state to manumit his slaves, being compelled under the then existing laws of the state to become responsible for their conduct.
Dr. Northrup and wife had five children, Hester M. B., Elmer B., Kirtland B., Daniel B., and Kate.
July 02, 2009
Celebrating the 4th
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, president
“There is in the juvenile heart a respect for the traditions of the Fourth (July 4), which no municipal neglect, no public indifference, no ill-timed respect for the peace and comfort of adult mankind can ever stifle, and until the race of boys is wholly extinct, The Fourth will never be forgotten,” declared S. Weaver, Editor of the July 9, 1874 issue of the Kansas New Era reporting the Independence Day activities of Grasshopper Falls (now Valley Falls).
The editor continued “We had a celebration of the fourth, in fact it commenced on the evening of the third, when Old Mc. and the rest of the boys set the ball in motion by opening a box of torpedoes . . hence all through the night of the third the cracking of torpedoes, the furtive popping of crackers on the streets and in dry goods boxes and the occasional bark of a rusty pistol undergoing preparatory trial, drove the drowsy God from the eyelids of our wakeful citizens. . . as usual, the shooting ordinance had been suspended so that we might trust the boys, the firecrackers, the small cannon, and the fifty-cent pistols to secure for us all a day of orthodox peril and discomfort . . .
“About eleven o’clock the merchants closed their doors and the procession headed by a band of horsemen and keeping step to the excellent music furnished by the Cornet Band, took their line of March for Frazier’s Grove where the truly interesting and enjoyable part of the day’s exercise took place.
“The weather was excessively warm and the roads very dusty, but despite all the disadvantages, the celebration taken as a whole, was a complete success. The speaking, especially that of Capt. George T. Anthony, was excellent. The music of the band was first-class, while the ladies and gentlemen of the Glee Club covered themselves with glory.
“The booths and stands and the grounds all around seemed to be doing a fair business. We should judge that the stand of the First Baptist Sunday School took in the most money. The Congregational Sunday School had the most artistic and inviting stand and the booth on the ground. The Methodist Sunday School had quite a large stand presided over by Weatherholt and Frazier. . .
“There were one hundred and twenty-seven loaded vehicles (city hacks not included) counted as they left the grove against one hundred and eighteen last year.”
The Valley Falls Historical Society museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, July 4.
“There is in the juvenile heart a respect for the traditions of the Fourth (July 4), which no municipal neglect, no public indifference, no ill-timed respect for the peace and comfort of adult mankind can ever stifle, and until the race of boys is wholly extinct, The Fourth will never be forgotten,” declared S. Weaver, Editor of the July 9, 1874 issue of the Kansas New Era reporting the Independence Day activities of Grasshopper Falls (now Valley Falls).
The editor continued “We had a celebration of the fourth, in fact it commenced on the evening of the third, when Old Mc. and the rest of the boys set the ball in motion by opening a box of torpedoes . . hence all through the night of the third the cracking of torpedoes, the furtive popping of crackers on the streets and in dry goods boxes and the occasional bark of a rusty pistol undergoing preparatory trial, drove the drowsy God from the eyelids of our wakeful citizens. . . as usual, the shooting ordinance had been suspended so that we might trust the boys, the firecrackers, the small cannon, and the fifty-cent pistols to secure for us all a day of orthodox peril and discomfort . . .
“About eleven o’clock the merchants closed their doors and the procession headed by a band of horsemen and keeping step to the excellent music furnished by the Cornet Band, took their line of March for Frazier’s Grove where the truly interesting and enjoyable part of the day’s exercise took place.
“The weather was excessively warm and the roads very dusty, but despite all the disadvantages, the celebration taken as a whole, was a complete success. The speaking, especially that of Capt. George T. Anthony, was excellent. The music of the band was first-class, while the ladies and gentlemen of the Glee Club covered themselves with glory.
“The booths and stands and the grounds all around seemed to be doing a fair business. We should judge that the stand of the First Baptist Sunday School took in the most money. The Congregational Sunday School had the most artistic and inviting stand and the booth on the ground. The Methodist Sunday School had quite a large stand presided over by Weatherholt and Frazier. . .
“There were one hundred and twenty-seven loaded vehicles (city hacks not included) counted as they left the grove against one hundred and eighteen last year.”
The Valley Falls Historical Society museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, July 4.
June 14, 2009
Brother, sister reunited after 62 years
by Frank Shrimplin
John “Jack” Ireland, 82, and his sister Alma Miller, 84, were reunited April 29 after having lost track of each other for 62 years.
John and Alma are the children of Jack and Elizabeth Ireland, born in Birmingham, England. Both parents are buried there.
At the beginning of World War II both joined the military. Alma joined the Arterial Auxiliary Territorial Service and served as a radar operator in the Royal Artillery. John joined the Scottish Black Watch, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, without his father’s consent or knowledge.
John was only 16 years of age. When his father found out, he told the service officer that his son was not 17, the legal age. With his father’s consent he was able to stay as a “Boy Soldier” serving as a drummer boy or similar activity, John explained. He stayed in Scotland after the war.
During the war Alma met Arnold C. Miller of Valley Falls, son of Walter and Edna Miller. The couple traveled many places around the world. They met on a train when she went to visit her parents while he was on leave from Italy. They lived in Philadelphia at one time.
Alma and their 4-year-old daughter, Jackie, lived in Valley Falls for about 15 months in an upstairs apartment at the Charles and Grace Olden residence on Frazier Street. Alma worked for Coleman IGA grocery store. She and her daughter left to join Arnold in Japan in 1963 just a few weeks before the tragic death of the Olden couple by a gas leak March 9, 1963. Alma says she feels fortunate to have left beforehand.
Alma and the children visited her parents and John in 1947, the last time they would see each other until April 29 when they were reunited in Kansas City. They corresponded with each other infrequently then lost track of each other. John’s wife died seven years ago and both Alma and he thought the other had died.
John was a professional entertainer as a comedian and singer for 30 years, played in the Palladium in London three times. Once he was on stage in a show featuring Dale Shannon, well-known in Britain as a legend vocalist.
Just over a year ago John, living in Scone, Perthshire, decided to try to find his sister. He contacted the Salvation Army Family Tracing Service. Within two weeks he was able to contact her in Topeka. Since April 2008 John had phoned Alma every day. It took three months to obtain a passport to come to United States.
Newspapers heard of John’s success in finding his sister and he was featured repeating along with doing TV interviews. In the air terminal he purchased a newspaper with his photo in it and a woman seated nearby noticed the photo and recognized that it was John.
She notified a Kansas City television station from the air and the cameras were waiting when the brother and sister were reunited. John was stepping on American soil for the first time.
Alma wanted to visit the Valley Falls Historical Society and the cemetery on Memorial Day weekend. She made arrangements with Betty Jane Wilson, president of the society, to view the uniform of her husband, Chief Warrant Officer Arnold C. Miller, that she had donated a few years ago.
He was born north of Valley Falls June 1922, graduated from Valley Falls High School in 1940, and served in the Army 20 years including duty during World War II and Korea. He died Dec. 2, 1999.
John, Alma, daughter-in-law Helen Quiett, Meriden, wife of the late Arnold C. Miller Jr., Alma’s son and now married to Gary Quiett, and Helen’s daughter, Jennifer, were in the group visiting the museum.
In researching the story, this writer found five stories on the Internet of John being able to find his sister. The Sun, a Scottish newspaper April 29 reported in the lead remarks, “A Scots war hero is set for a tear-filled reunion with his long-lost sister…more than 60 years after they last met.”
The article shows a photo taken in 1943 with both of them in uniform. John is quoted, “Alma and I were close, but the war broke us up in 1939.”
When the Salvation Army woman contacted Alma she recalled saying, “Well who is it? And she said your brother. I could have just fainted ’cause I thought he was dead.”
Neither John nor his sister wanted to fly. Alma swore off plane rides after her husband’s military career and John had never been on one.
At the end of one interview John says, “It’s marvelous isn’t it? Life is new for us now. Knowing each other”
Alma has a sister-in-law, Lorena Harden, in Topeka. Her husband, Wade, now deceased, used to run a pool hall in Valley Falls. Alma has a son, Frederick Miller, in Liberal, her daughter, Jackie McEntire, lives in Topeka.
John “Jack” Ireland, 82, and his sister Alma Miller, 84, were reunited April 29 after having lost track of each other for 62 years.
John and Alma are the children of Jack and Elizabeth Ireland, born in Birmingham, England. Both parents are buried there.
At the beginning of World War II both joined the military. Alma joined the Arterial Auxiliary Territorial Service and served as a radar operator in the Royal Artillery. John joined the Scottish Black Watch, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, without his father’s consent or knowledge.
John was only 16 years of age. When his father found out, he told the service officer that his son was not 17, the legal age. With his father’s consent he was able to stay as a “Boy Soldier” serving as a drummer boy or similar activity, John explained. He stayed in Scotland after the war.
During the war Alma met Arnold C. Miller of Valley Falls, son of Walter and Edna Miller. The couple traveled many places around the world. They met on a train when she went to visit her parents while he was on leave from Italy. They lived in Philadelphia at one time.
Alma and their 4-year-old daughter, Jackie, lived in Valley Falls for about 15 months in an upstairs apartment at the Charles and Grace Olden residence on Frazier Street. Alma worked for Coleman IGA grocery store. She and her daughter left to join Arnold in Japan in 1963 just a few weeks before the tragic death of the Olden couple by a gas leak March 9, 1963. Alma says she feels fortunate to have left beforehand.
Alma and the children visited her parents and John in 1947, the last time they would see each other until April 29 when they were reunited in Kansas City. They corresponded with each other infrequently then lost track of each other. John’s wife died seven years ago and both Alma and he thought the other had died.
John was a professional entertainer as a comedian and singer for 30 years, played in the Palladium in London three times. Once he was on stage in a show featuring Dale Shannon, well-known in Britain as a legend vocalist.
Just over a year ago John, living in Scone, Perthshire, decided to try to find his sister. He contacted the Salvation Army Family Tracing Service. Within two weeks he was able to contact her in Topeka. Since April 2008 John had phoned Alma every day. It took three months to obtain a passport to come to United States.
Newspapers heard of John’s success in finding his sister and he was featured repeating along with doing TV interviews. In the air terminal he purchased a newspaper with his photo in it and a woman seated nearby noticed the photo and recognized that it was John.
She notified a Kansas City television station from the air and the cameras were waiting when the brother and sister were reunited. John was stepping on American soil for the first time.
Alma wanted to visit the Valley Falls Historical Society and the cemetery on Memorial Day weekend. She made arrangements with Betty Jane Wilson, president of the society, to view the uniform of her husband, Chief Warrant Officer Arnold C. Miller, that she had donated a few years ago.
He was born north of Valley Falls June 1922, graduated from Valley Falls High School in 1940, and served in the Army 20 years including duty during World War II and Korea. He died Dec. 2, 1999.
John, Alma, daughter-in-law Helen Quiett, Meriden, wife of the late Arnold C. Miller Jr., Alma’s son and now married to Gary Quiett, and Helen’s daughter, Jennifer, were in the group visiting the museum.
In researching the story, this writer found five stories on the Internet of John being able to find his sister. The Sun, a Scottish newspaper April 29 reported in the lead remarks, “A Scots war hero is set for a tear-filled reunion with his long-lost sister…more than 60 years after they last met.”
The article shows a photo taken in 1943 with both of them in uniform. John is quoted, “Alma and I were close, but the war broke us up in 1939.”
When the Salvation Army woman contacted Alma she recalled saying, “Well who is it? And she said your brother. I could have just fainted ’cause I thought he was dead.”
Neither John nor his sister wanted to fly. Alma swore off plane rides after her husband’s military career and John had never been on one.
At the end of one interview John says, “It’s marvelous isn’t it? Life is new for us now. Knowing each other”
Alma has a sister-in-law, Lorena Harden, in Topeka. Her husband, Wade, now deceased, used to run a pool hall in Valley Falls. Alma has a son, Frederick Miller, in Liberal, her daughter, Jackie McEntire, lives in Topeka.
June 04, 2009
Arthur Strawn, personal recollections
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, historical society president
The late Arthur Strawn, historian, graduated from Valley Falls High School May 26, 1943. He reached his 18th birthday March 13, 1943, was classified 1A (subject to military draft) and faced the possibility of induction into service prior to completion of his senior high school year. His high school principal and a draft board member obtained deferent from service, since he had only 3 months remaining to graduate with his class. Following graduation, he found work and following are excerpts from his personal history:
“I did go to work for a local farmer, doing as I had for the last three summers, helping with field work, mainly putting up hay and shocking wheat. I went to work for George Tucking for one dollar a day and room and board. I shocked all his wheat and did chores morning and night. I could not have worked for a better person. Mrs. Tucking provided the best food I had ever enjoyed up to that time and I felt very much like I belonged there. Even their two little girls treated me like I was one of the family.
When it was threshing time, I worked in the fields pitching bundles (unloading shocks of wheat on the wagon) I was the only one working in the field except Don Marsh who was working for the Valley Falls Vindicator, our local weekly newspaper. It was our job to load the hay wagon fast enough to keep the threshing machine running. Hot and heavy work, but I was young and strong.”
Arthur learned wages were better in Central Kansas and with help of friends, left his dollar-a-day job, without notice, and worked near Newton, Kan., for $5 for an eight-hour day. In return for his board and room, he baby sat for his employers’ children. He wrote:
“I only worked a short time before I received my draft notice to report for induction on June 28th. I quit my job and they (friends) took me to Newton where I bought some new clothes and more important, a new linoleum for our living room at home. I took the bus to Valley Falls with $35 in my pocket. I was a rich man, I thought. The new linoleum they promised to deliver the next time they came east. . . On June 28th, Wayne Green (friend) and I reported to the draft board at Oskaloosa.”
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, immediately following the 123rd Valley Falls High School alumni covered dish dinner at noon at the Delaware Township Hall, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday, May 25. Saturday’s hosts will be Anna Irwin, Lucile Smerchek, and Dalene Senn.
The late Arthur Strawn, historian, graduated from Valley Falls High School May 26, 1943. He reached his 18th birthday March 13, 1943, was classified 1A (subject to military draft) and faced the possibility of induction into service prior to completion of his senior high school year. His high school principal and a draft board member obtained deferent from service, since he had only 3 months remaining to graduate with his class. Following graduation, he found work and following are excerpts from his personal history:
“I did go to work for a local farmer, doing as I had for the last three summers, helping with field work, mainly putting up hay and shocking wheat. I went to work for George Tucking for one dollar a day and room and board. I shocked all his wheat and did chores morning and night. I could not have worked for a better person. Mrs. Tucking provided the best food I had ever enjoyed up to that time and I felt very much like I belonged there. Even their two little girls treated me like I was one of the family.
When it was threshing time, I worked in the fields pitching bundles (unloading shocks of wheat on the wagon) I was the only one working in the field except Don Marsh who was working for the Valley Falls Vindicator, our local weekly newspaper. It was our job to load the hay wagon fast enough to keep the threshing machine running. Hot and heavy work, but I was young and strong.”
Arthur learned wages were better in Central Kansas and with help of friends, left his dollar-a-day job, without notice, and worked near Newton, Kan., for $5 for an eight-hour day. In return for his board and room, he baby sat for his employers’ children. He wrote:
“I only worked a short time before I received my draft notice to report for induction on June 28th. I quit my job and they (friends) took me to Newton where I bought some new clothes and more important, a new linoleum for our living room at home. I took the bus to Valley Falls with $35 in my pocket. I was a rich man, I thought. The new linoleum they promised to deliver the next time they came east. . . On June 28th, Wayne Green (friend) and I reported to the draft board at Oskaloosa.”
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, immediately following the 123rd Valley Falls High School alumni covered dish dinner at noon at the Delaware Township Hall, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday, May 25. Saturday’s hosts will be Anna Irwin, Lucile Smerchek, and Dalene Senn.
May 28, 2009
Harvest memories
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Titled “Intended for an introduction to a movie of wheat harvest” and reminiscent of his youth laboring in the harvest field, the late historian Arthur Strawn, wrote the following:
“These are the golden days of Kansas. Hot work with the bodies of men at golden brown from labor in the sun. One wonders if the people of today with their labor in the shop and factory and homes with air conditioning are better for all their comforts, or are these men working hard and sweating in the sun, cooled by the prairie breezes of a summer day, later relaxing in the cool of the evening under the shade of the big trees and perhaps making a freezer of homemade ice cream, not the human that God intended them to be.
“The water boy bringing a jug of cool, sweet water from a well. How many of us remember a drink of that water that rivaled all the Cokes and Kool-Aid ever made.
“Threshing was a time for the gathering of the neighbors — when the harvest table was loaded down with the products of the farm and gardens. The women labored as hard in the kitchen preparing a feast for their men at dinner time as the men working in the fields or feeding the separator.
“This is the true gold that Coronado sought in Kansas in those far off days when this bountiful land was the home of the buffalo and the Indians. There was gold here, but its seekers were 400 hundred years too soon. It took the early-day pioneer who traveled to this country by covered wagon, enduring untold hardships from the heat, drought, and loneliness of this great country to break the virgin Prairie and plant the trees that now give the shade around these farm homes.
“These courageous people were the people whose hard work and sweat finally discovered ‘the real gold’ of these limitless prairies and left a heritage that today’s people can only strive to equal.
“Here on the farm of a man who is as ripe in years as his grain, and like his grain has brought to fruit a harvest of memories that no man today is likely to have in the years that are to come.
“This picture shows a way of life that is gone — a way of life even if full of hard work, had other compensations that were perhaps greater than any man today can boast. This way of life was a gracious life that was slow enough that a man had time to reflect upon what life meant and what God had done for him.”
Maxine Hefty and Geneva Lonard will be historical society museum hosts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 30.
Titled “Intended for an introduction to a movie of wheat harvest” and reminiscent of his youth laboring in the harvest field, the late historian Arthur Strawn, wrote the following:
“These are the golden days of Kansas. Hot work with the bodies of men at golden brown from labor in the sun. One wonders if the people of today with their labor in the shop and factory and homes with air conditioning are better for all their comforts, or are these men working hard and sweating in the sun, cooled by the prairie breezes of a summer day, later relaxing in the cool of the evening under the shade of the big trees and perhaps making a freezer of homemade ice cream, not the human that God intended them to be.
“The water boy bringing a jug of cool, sweet water from a well. How many of us remember a drink of that water that rivaled all the Cokes and Kool-Aid ever made.
“Threshing was a time for the gathering of the neighbors — when the harvest table was loaded down with the products of the farm and gardens. The women labored as hard in the kitchen preparing a feast for their men at dinner time as the men working in the fields or feeding the separator.
“This is the true gold that Coronado sought in Kansas in those far off days when this bountiful land was the home of the buffalo and the Indians. There was gold here, but its seekers were 400 hundred years too soon. It took the early-day pioneer who traveled to this country by covered wagon, enduring untold hardships from the heat, drought, and loneliness of this great country to break the virgin Prairie and plant the trees that now give the shade around these farm homes.
“These courageous people were the people whose hard work and sweat finally discovered ‘the real gold’ of these limitless prairies and left a heritage that today’s people can only strive to equal.
“Here on the farm of a man who is as ripe in years as his grain, and like his grain has brought to fruit a harvest of memories that no man today is likely to have in the years that are to come.
“This picture shows a way of life that is gone — a way of life even if full of hard work, had other compensations that were perhaps greater than any man today can boast. This way of life was a gracious life that was slow enough that a man had time to reflect upon what life meant and what God had done for him.”
Maxine Hefty and Geneva Lonard will be historical society museum hosts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 30.
February 24, 2009
President Lincoln's 200th
by Betty Jane Wilson
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum window displays reflect the outstanding calendar events for the month.
Huge “Happy 200th birthday Abe” greetings hail the 200th birthday of the United States’s 16th President Abraham Lincoln.
A miniature, full-length silhouette caricature affirms Mr. Lincoln’s physical dimensions in his own words: “If any personal description of me is thought desirable, it may be said, I am in height 6 ft., 4 inches, nearly, lean in flesh, weighing on average 189 pounds, dark complexion with coarse black hair and grey eyes — no other marks or brands recollected by A. Lincoln, Dec. 20, 1858.”
The veterans window scene honors two presidents on Presidents’ Day, a holiday celebrated the third Monday in February. Previously celebrated individually, the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were combined and a three-day holiday declared to pay tribute to all who have served as presidents of the United States of America.
Watch for future window displays created by a younger generation of citizens, and hopefully, future historians of the Valley Falls community.
The society museum’s opening date and schedule of Saturday hosts will be announced later.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum window displays reflect the outstanding calendar events for the month.
Huge “Happy 200th birthday Abe” greetings hail the 200th birthday of the United States’s 16th President Abraham Lincoln.
A miniature, full-length silhouette caricature affirms Mr. Lincoln’s physical dimensions in his own words: “If any personal description of me is thought desirable, it may be said, I am in height 6 ft., 4 inches, nearly, lean in flesh, weighing on average 189 pounds, dark complexion with coarse black hair and grey eyes — no other marks or brands recollected by A. Lincoln, Dec. 20, 1858.”
The veterans window scene honors two presidents on Presidents’ Day, a holiday celebrated the third Monday in February. Previously celebrated individually, the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were combined and a three-day holiday declared to pay tribute to all who have served as presidents of the United States of America.
Watch for future window displays created by a younger generation of citizens, and hopefully, future historians of the Valley Falls community.
The society museum’s opening date and schedule of Saturday hosts will be announced later.
February 18, 2009
Arthur Strawn, editor (and philosopher)
by Betty Jane Wilson
“I will call it ‘IF’ — a bit of prose from an unknown source. It has a number of interesting ideas,” concluded the late editor, Arthur Strawn, in the Nov. 28, 1972, issue of the Valley Falls Historical Society Newsletter, commenting on the following:
“IF the races of men should suddenly disappear from the earth, leaving only the animals, great changes would take place. For a time, the works of men would remain, but gradually the lofty buildings in our cities would crumble and collapse, the railroads would become thin lines of rusty steel buried in tangles of weeds, farms would be covered with brush and with great forests, the roads would become merely paths for animals, and in place of fertile fields and villages and busy cities the ancient jungle would return. External Nature would remain much the same as now. Season would succeed season, the rivers would flow as majestically as ever to the sea, the moon and stars would shine or would be blotted out by great storms; the woods would be filled with the music of bird song or the fragrance of flowers, or, in winter, would be clothed in their mantle of snow. And the animal world would be much the same as now, except that the wild beasts would become bolder and more numerous and the animals that man has tamed or has made his companions would become wild or would be destroyed by enemies.
In such a world, no more progress of the sort that seems progress to us would be possible. There would still be such primitive methods of living as animals use. The races of animals would still keep up some such form of communication as they now seem to have. But no cooperation, working together for a safer and happier mode of living comes from this faint sense of relationship that members of an animal race feel for one another.
One reason for this failure is that the imagination and memory of animals are very small. We have no evidence that the beauty of Nature—a vista in a forest or the grandeur of mountains — produce any effect on the animals. They have no records of their past history or permanent records of any kind. Mankind can see into the past or the future, and can see what he wishes to bring to pass . . .”
— Arthur R. Strawn, Editor.
Arthur edited the society newsletter from the late 1960s through most of 1970. He devoted time and effort to conscientious reporting of society happenings, local activities, community time and tribulations with an occasional personal observation or musing material providing a priceless historical record for Valley Falls.
The society museum remains closed through February. March opening date and Saturday host schedules will be announced later.
“I will call it ‘IF’ — a bit of prose from an unknown source. It has a number of interesting ideas,” concluded the late editor, Arthur Strawn, in the Nov. 28, 1972, issue of the Valley Falls Historical Society Newsletter, commenting on the following:
“IF the races of men should suddenly disappear from the earth, leaving only the animals, great changes would take place. For a time, the works of men would remain, but gradually the lofty buildings in our cities would crumble and collapse, the railroads would become thin lines of rusty steel buried in tangles of weeds, farms would be covered with brush and with great forests, the roads would become merely paths for animals, and in place of fertile fields and villages and busy cities the ancient jungle would return. External Nature would remain much the same as now. Season would succeed season, the rivers would flow as majestically as ever to the sea, the moon and stars would shine or would be blotted out by great storms; the woods would be filled with the music of bird song or the fragrance of flowers, or, in winter, would be clothed in their mantle of snow. And the animal world would be much the same as now, except that the wild beasts would become bolder and more numerous and the animals that man has tamed or has made his companions would become wild or would be destroyed by enemies.
In such a world, no more progress of the sort that seems progress to us would be possible. There would still be such primitive methods of living as animals use. The races of animals would still keep up some such form of communication as they now seem to have. But no cooperation, working together for a safer and happier mode of living comes from this faint sense of relationship that members of an animal race feel for one another.
One reason for this failure is that the imagination and memory of animals are very small. We have no evidence that the beauty of Nature—a vista in a forest or the grandeur of mountains — produce any effect on the animals. They have no records of their past history or permanent records of any kind. Mankind can see into the past or the future, and can see what he wishes to bring to pass . . .”
— Arthur R. Strawn, Editor.
Arthur edited the society newsletter from the late 1960s through most of 1970. He devoted time and effort to conscientious reporting of society happenings, local activities, community time and tribulations with an occasional personal observation or musing material providing a priceless historical record for Valley Falls.
The society museum remains closed through February. March opening date and Saturday host schedules will be announced later.
February 17, 2009
Timetables: CBs
Reprinted with permission from the February 12, 2009, Valley Falls Vindicator:
Timetables
Ryan Gier brought us a historical document bringing back memories of the CB days of the 1970s. A booklet titled “Jeff Co. CB Club” contains nearly 400 names of county residents along with their CB handle and phone number. Printed approximately 30 years ago during the CB craze, the booklet was sponsored by 48 merchants, only eight of which still exist. To recall the days of “Breaker 19 good buddy,” here are some of the CB handles and their owners:
Babysitter, Jerry Logsdon; Chatty Kathy, Kathy Zwygart; Donald Duck, Don Carder; Blue Streak, Ted Montgomery; Egg Lady, Marcella Ryan; Green Grasshopper, Delbert Stockwell; Little Fireball, Cary Brosa; Limestone Cowboy, G.W. Conser; Little Blue Bird, Jacque Mill; Moby Dick, Jim Billings; Meat Man, Terry Metzger; Lady Dressmaker, Arlene Gier; Milk Man, Melvin Brose; Silver Bird, Rick Ferrell; Square Wheels, Mel Langston; Store Keeper, Gary Coleman; Typesetter, Dale Jepson; Trip Hammer Jr., Gary Royer; Trash Man, Larkin Ferrell; Teacher, Karen Strickler.
These were all from Valley Falls. We’ll have more from around the county in an upcoming edition and then Ryan said to add the book to the museum archives.
Timetables
Ryan Gier brought us a historical document bringing back memories of the CB days of the 1970s. A booklet titled “Jeff Co. CB Club” contains nearly 400 names of county residents along with their CB handle and phone number. Printed approximately 30 years ago during the CB craze, the booklet was sponsored by 48 merchants, only eight of which still exist. To recall the days of “Breaker 19 good buddy,” here are some of the CB handles and their owners:
Babysitter, Jerry Logsdon; Chatty Kathy, Kathy Zwygart; Donald Duck, Don Carder; Blue Streak, Ted Montgomery; Egg Lady, Marcella Ryan; Green Grasshopper, Delbert Stockwell; Little Fireball, Cary Brosa; Limestone Cowboy, G.W. Conser; Little Blue Bird, Jacque Mill; Moby Dick, Jim Billings; Meat Man, Terry Metzger; Lady Dressmaker, Arlene Gier; Milk Man, Melvin Brose; Silver Bird, Rick Ferrell; Square Wheels, Mel Langston; Store Keeper, Gary Coleman; Typesetter, Dale Jepson; Trip Hammer Jr., Gary Royer; Trash Man, Larkin Ferrell; Teacher, Karen Strickler.
These were all from Valley Falls. We’ll have more from around the county in an upcoming edition and then Ryan said to add the book to the museum archives.
Reprinted with permission from the February 5, 2009, Valley Falls Vindicator:
Dear Friends of Arthur Strawn:
Our family would like to express gratitude to the friends and family who came to the memorial service at the Mercer Funeral Home Saturday, Jan. 31. It was a peaceful, orderly service orchestrated by Jim Braum who walked us through the service that were not yet preplanned, and those final decisions so unfamiliar to us.
The close-knit, personalized memorial was very comforting to all of us. It was grand to hear others rejoicing in Art’s life by sharing fond memories with us.
Pastor Mike Kirby set the opening tone with these words: “God gave us the gift of memory…to comfort one another” and reminded us we were gathered to celebrate Art’s life and how his life touched so many others.
Rick Johnson, friend, adviser, and attorney for Art, defined Art’s life for us by using two words: Care Giver. The words together and separately are apt descriptions of the Uncle Art I have always known. Rick’s words helped us to honor Art from the heart.
Art cared for others and gave to others. He took responsibility for others and then acted on it. He was a proud veteran of World War II, having served in the South Pacific. He was proud of the USA, Kansas, Jefferson County and of course, Valley Falls. He was a student all his life with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.
Uncle Art shared his passion for learning with my sisters and me, always challenging us to learn more than was required in school. He often spoke words of great wisdom, on many topics, and it was from him I learned to appreciate the value of history and the virtue of being accurate.
Betty Jane Wilson quoted Art Strawn from the Valley Falls Historical Society Newsletter, giving everyone an insight into his depth of thought. “We must preserve the facts of the present and set straight the records of the past…(the purpose of a historical society) is not just one more social group. It carries the burden of collecting and processing material but its service must be to the whole community. No finer way exists to promote interest and pride than a local historical society.”
What a legacy! But this quote is also how a family should be viewed: Honor, personal responsibility, truth, then ‘being and becoming’ the best we can be for one another. These values were Uncle Art’s values, and they are also eternal values.
Longtime neighbors and friends Linda and Frank Stansell spoke of their friendship with Uncle Art. Linda said “I know Art is in a better place. I bet Art is there telling the good Lord that he will get a file cabinet and get the Lord’s history all straightened out for Him.”
Those who knew Uncle Art’s passion for accuracy and orderliness rejoiced together with a good laugh—one my Uncle Art would have shared. Yet how typical of Art’s honesty and how timely in today’s world when truth and accuracy are so often set aside for something expedient.
There were two young women and their now grown children who stopped to share a moment with my sisters and me. They had lived nearby and told us how Art had been helpful for their children. I wonder if they are the “young friends” Uncle Art mentioned with such fondness, who owned a black dog named “Lady” who had adopted Art.
Then, Mary Jane Burns, a school teacher, shared her stories of sending students to “Ask Art.” She went on to explain how Art helped her further her college education by being a source for information on her thesis. Thanks, Mary Jane, for understanding how valuable Uncle Art was. He was always a resource for us.
Frank Shrimplin described the Uncle Art I knew as humble and never bragging even with his many talents. Mr. Shrimplin shared his personal thoughts with us and then presented us with a beautiful poem of friendship, written by another long time friend, Mary Powell of Topeka.
The VFW gravesite presentation was with full military honors. I am a service connected disabled veteran (Vietnam Era/7th Army Europe), and was greatly moved. The Honors Unit presented themselves with dignity, reminding us of the need of service to our country, as well as Uncle Art’s honorable service. In Art’s belongings we found four Navy medals, still in their original boxes. So like Uncle Art to have them carefully marked but modestly put away.
These people who came together were from all age groups and backgrounds, adding even more to the depth of love and respect my sisters and I have for our Uncle Art. He was an inspiration to us. It was wonderful to share this appreciation of his inspiration with others who also knew his special qualities. If grief can be tempered by a few hours together, sharing common ideals and love for a fine man, this memorial service achieved just that end.
How comforting to know that the tapestry of Uncle Art Strawn’s life is woven so beautifully through time, in memories, and into history. It is comforting to know that one man’s life, that meant so much to us, could mean so much to so many others.
Thank you, Valley Falls, for being there to say “farewell” so beautifully, to our uncle, Art Strawn.
—Susan (Strawn) Rader, Yukon, Okla.
Dear Friends of Arthur Strawn:
Our family would like to express gratitude to the friends and family who came to the memorial service at the Mercer Funeral Home Saturday, Jan. 31. It was a peaceful, orderly service orchestrated by Jim Braum who walked us through the service that were not yet preplanned, and those final decisions so unfamiliar to us.
The close-knit, personalized memorial was very comforting to all of us. It was grand to hear others rejoicing in Art’s life by sharing fond memories with us.
Pastor Mike Kirby set the opening tone with these words: “God gave us the gift of memory…to comfort one another” and reminded us we were gathered to celebrate Art’s life and how his life touched so many others.
Rick Johnson, friend, adviser, and attorney for Art, defined Art’s life for us by using two words: Care Giver. The words together and separately are apt descriptions of the Uncle Art I have always known. Rick’s words helped us to honor Art from the heart.
Art cared for others and gave to others. He took responsibility for others and then acted on it. He was a proud veteran of World War II, having served in the South Pacific. He was proud of the USA, Kansas, Jefferson County and of course, Valley Falls. He was a student all his life with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.
Uncle Art shared his passion for learning with my sisters and me, always challenging us to learn more than was required in school. He often spoke words of great wisdom, on many topics, and it was from him I learned to appreciate the value of history and the virtue of being accurate.
Betty Jane Wilson quoted Art Strawn from the Valley Falls Historical Society Newsletter, giving everyone an insight into his depth of thought. “We must preserve the facts of the present and set straight the records of the past…(the purpose of a historical society) is not just one more social group. It carries the burden of collecting and processing material but its service must be to the whole community. No finer way exists to promote interest and pride than a local historical society.”
What a legacy! But this quote is also how a family should be viewed: Honor, personal responsibility, truth, then ‘being and becoming’ the best we can be for one another. These values were Uncle Art’s values, and they are also eternal values.
Longtime neighbors and friends Linda and Frank Stansell spoke of their friendship with Uncle Art. Linda said “I know Art is in a better place. I bet Art is there telling the good Lord that he will get a file cabinet and get the Lord’s history all straightened out for Him.”
Those who knew Uncle Art’s passion for accuracy and orderliness rejoiced together with a good laugh—one my Uncle Art would have shared. Yet how typical of Art’s honesty and how timely in today’s world when truth and accuracy are so often set aside for something expedient.
There were two young women and their now grown children who stopped to share a moment with my sisters and me. They had lived nearby and told us how Art had been helpful for their children. I wonder if they are the “young friends” Uncle Art mentioned with such fondness, who owned a black dog named “Lady” who had adopted Art.
Then, Mary Jane Burns, a school teacher, shared her stories of sending students to “Ask Art.” She went on to explain how Art helped her further her college education by being a source for information on her thesis. Thanks, Mary Jane, for understanding how valuable Uncle Art was. He was always a resource for us.
Frank Shrimplin described the Uncle Art I knew as humble and never bragging even with his many talents. Mr. Shrimplin shared his personal thoughts with us and then presented us with a beautiful poem of friendship, written by another long time friend, Mary Powell of Topeka.
The VFW gravesite presentation was with full military honors. I am a service connected disabled veteran (Vietnam Era/7th Army Europe), and was greatly moved. The Honors Unit presented themselves with dignity, reminding us of the need of service to our country, as well as Uncle Art’s honorable service. In Art’s belongings we found four Navy medals, still in their original boxes. So like Uncle Art to have them carefully marked but modestly put away.
These people who came together were from all age groups and backgrounds, adding even more to the depth of love and respect my sisters and I have for our Uncle Art. He was an inspiration to us. It was wonderful to share this appreciation of his inspiration with others who also knew his special qualities. If grief can be tempered by a few hours together, sharing common ideals and love for a fine man, this memorial service achieved just that end.
How comforting to know that the tapestry of Uncle Art Strawn’s life is woven so beautifully through time, in memories, and into history. It is comforting to know that one man’s life, that meant so much to us, could mean so much to so many others.
Thank you, Valley Falls, for being there to say “farewell” so beautifully, to our uncle, Art Strawn.
—Susan (Strawn) Rader, Yukon, Okla.
January 28, 2009
A Tribute
by Betty Jane Wilson, president VFHS
The recent days have seen the demise of a number of kind and gentle souls from our midst.
This turning of the pages of the ‘Book of Life’ by HIM who has it in his keeping, saddens us, but should remind us that it is not what we might have done that is important.” Penned by the late Arthur Strawn, historian and editor of the Valley Falls Historical Society Newsletter dated Dec. 29, 1970.
Nearly four decades later and almost prophetically, we are saddened by the demise of two lifetime members and avid supporters of the Valley Falls Historical Society, Milton Reichart, anthropologist, author, and past president of the society, and Arthur Strawn, one of the founders, first president and long-time historian.
Adamant advocate of historical accuracy and preservation of facts, historian Strawn once wrote “a historical society is unique among the institutions of a community. It is not just one more social group, but ranks with the public library in that its membership corresponds to the library board and must carry the burden of collecting and preserving materials, but its services must be to the whole community. No finer way exists to promote interest and pride in a community than by a local historical society.”
Recognizing Arthur’s superlative qualifications as an historian and adviser, past president, Milton Reichart honored him with these words “One term that would characterize and typify the history of Valley Falls is ‘Ask Art,’ whenever someone makes inquiry of a Valley Falls citizen concerning something about the town’s history, sooner or later, the citizens will be heard to say ‘Ask Art.’ ”
The legacy of Arthur Strawn, his devotion and adherance to factural history, his contributions to the Valley Falls Historical Society and museum and entire community will grace the annals of Valley Falls history.
How long? Ask Art.
The historical society remains closed through February. Call (875) 945-3576, Betty Jane Wilson, for information or arrangements for visits.
The recent days have seen the demise of a number of kind and gentle souls from our midst.
This turning of the pages of the ‘Book of Life’ by HIM who has it in his keeping, saddens us, but should remind us that it is not what we might have done that is important.” Penned by the late Arthur Strawn, historian and editor of the Valley Falls Historical Society Newsletter dated Dec. 29, 1970.
Nearly four decades later and almost prophetically, we are saddened by the demise of two lifetime members and avid supporters of the Valley Falls Historical Society, Milton Reichart, anthropologist, author, and past president of the society, and Arthur Strawn, one of the founders, first president and long-time historian.
Adamant advocate of historical accuracy and preservation of facts, historian Strawn once wrote “a historical society is unique among the institutions of a community. It is not just one more social group, but ranks with the public library in that its membership corresponds to the library board and must carry the burden of collecting and preserving materials, but its services must be to the whole community. No finer way exists to promote interest and pride in a community than by a local historical society.”
Recognizing Arthur’s superlative qualifications as an historian and adviser, past president, Milton Reichart honored him with these words “One term that would characterize and typify the history of Valley Falls is ‘Ask Art,’ whenever someone makes inquiry of a Valley Falls citizen concerning something about the town’s history, sooner or later, the citizens will be heard to say ‘Ask Art.’ ”
The legacy of Arthur Strawn, his devotion and adherance to factural history, his contributions to the Valley Falls Historical Society and museum and entire community will grace the annals of Valley Falls history.
How long? Ask Art.
The historical society remains closed through February. Call (875) 945-3576, Betty Jane Wilson, for information or arrangements for visits.
January 16, 2009
Historical record lows
by Betty Jane Wilson
From Greenland’s icy mountains to the arid Sahara Sands, extreme weather conditions play dominant rolls in the annals of history.
Valley Falls history claims the following record low temperatures:
• From the Valley Falls New Era, Jan. 10, 1884, Patrick of the post office, recalled on the first of January, 1864, “the thermometer stood at 30 degrees below zero.”
• From the Valley Falls Vindicator, Jan. 24, 1930, “The thermometer registered 31 degrees below, the lowest in 30 years.”
• The Vindicator, Jan. 8, 1947, reported, “In just a week’s time, from Dec. 27 to Jan. 3, the mercury tumbled 103 degrees from 73 degrees
above to 31 degrees below.”
Extremes do make history; however, sometimes normalcy is preferable.
From Greenland’s icy mountains to the arid Sahara Sands, extreme weather conditions play dominant rolls in the annals of history.
Valley Falls history claims the following record low temperatures:
• From the Valley Falls New Era, Jan. 10, 1884, Patrick of the post office, recalled on the first of January, 1864, “the thermometer stood at 30 degrees below zero.”
• From the Valley Falls Vindicator, Jan. 24, 1930, “The thermometer registered 31 degrees below, the lowest in 30 years.”
• The Vindicator, Jan. 8, 1947, reported, “In just a week’s time, from Dec. 27 to Jan. 3, the mercury tumbled 103 degrees from 73 degrees
above to 31 degrees below.”
Extremes do make history; however, sometimes normalcy is preferable.
January 09, 2009
Window displays continue in January and February
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be closed from now through February, however window displays will be updated to coincide with calendar events and holidays.
The seasonal window for January will celebrate entrance of Kansas territory into the Union Jan. 29, 1861. A scenic mural of sunflowers, maps, brochures, and books serve as reminders of the state’s history.
The veterans’ window honors the memory of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a portrait, American flags, and memorabilia including his famous “I have a dream . . .” speech.
Advance arrangements for visits to the museum will be accepted. Call President Betty Jane Wilson, 785-945-3576, for information and visit the website at vfhistory.org.
The seasonal window for January will celebrate entrance of Kansas territory into the Union Jan. 29, 1861. A scenic mural of sunflowers, maps, brochures, and books serve as reminders of the state’s history.
The veterans’ window honors the memory of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a portrait, American flags, and memorabilia including his famous “I have a dream . . .” speech.
Advance arrangements for visits to the museum will be accepted. Call President Betty Jane Wilson, 785-945-3576, for information and visit the website at vfhistory.org.
January 08, 2009
Museum open by appointment only in January and February
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will not have regular hours in the months of January and February.
The museum is still open by appointment. Contact information can be found in the column at left.
The museum is still open by appointment. Contact information can be found in the column at left.
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