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.

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

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.