Grasshopper Falls in January and February 1874

—Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president.

The 1874 weekly issues of the Kansas New Era (predecessor of the Vindicator) provides historical insight for life and times of the town nearly 20 years following the staking claim for Grasshopper Falls by explorers Frazier, Riddle, Whitney, and Jolley.

The January and February editions featured the following items in journalism language of the era:

Nine cars were loaded with ice for Leavenworth last Saturday. Dudgeon has sold all his coal and is now filling his coal sheds with ice. The big rain storm last week frightened our ice dealers and they thought the ice market was over. Sawter and Mitchell had a large force of men and teams at work and filled their house while the rain was pouring torrents.

There are three hotels in the city, the Cataract, Broadway, and Burrell. They are all well kept and we understand doing well.

There are four milliner and dressmaking establishments in the place, Mrs. Hays, Mrs. McCartney, Mrs. Bounds and Mrs. Martin, all of whom seem to be doing well.

There are two printing offices, the Grasshopper and the New Era, both getting along as we understand from the publishers. Mr. Ground Hog did not more than see his shadow on last Tuesday.

The subject of changing the town’s name is again agitated. Dr. Northrup suggests “Kansas Falls” and old “Fifty Fiver” suggests “Cedar Falls” or “Falls City.” We should not object to either as they are short and appropriate. Someone suggests the place retain its present name because of its distinctiveness. We favor the change on account of the names suggested being short, while Grasshopper Falls stretches nearly across a sheet of note paper.

The method of closing saloons recently inaugurated in Ohio is fast spreading all over the country. They are about to try it in Leavenworth and we presume Grasshopper Falls will be next.

The way it is done is as follows:

The Christian ladies of the town form themselves into praying bands and hold prayer meetings in the barroom, if allowed to do so, and if not, on the sidewalk outside. One band relieves another and the meeting is kept up until the saloon keeper is converted or his business ruined.

F.A. Dudgeon was circulating a petition last week, the object of which was to have the name of the place changed to Kansas Falls. Somebody in this place received a consignment of sauer kraut last week, and lovers of fermented cabbage were nearly frantic with delight over the reappearance of their nearly forgotten delicacy. One person procured a large pailful, posted himself on the sidewalk on Broadway, and in the fullness of his heart offered a handful of the racid succulent to every passerby.