March 22, 2011

Items from the 1889 New Era, part 2

A sundry of news items from the Valley Falls New Era from January to November 1889.
Part II
- Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, president of the Valley Falls Historical Society.

Feb. 21 —
The death of John Armour on the rail last Friday morning was one of the most horrifying accidents that has occurred in Valley Falls. Thursday night, Mr. Armour was in his happiest mood and attended the masquerade and enjoyed himself hugely. Early in the morning, he started to visit his father north of town and he was run over by the entire train. Every bone in his body was broken. The remains were brought to undertaker Schuler's; from there taken to the old graveyard for interment. Mr. Armour had been engaged in the butcher business in Kansas City.

March 7 —
The city has put in two large watering troughs for the accommodation of the public. One for the benefit of the farmers who enter town from the south and west near the city park, the other, which will benefit more those who come from north and east, is on Maple Street. They will always be full of water.
The roads are almost impossible for a week. Mud a foot deep. Scarlet fever is widespread. School delayed because of scarlet fever.

April 25 —
A couple of Horton girls were overheard recently quarreling about their beaux. "I don't care," said Amelia. "Your beau has a wooden leg and can't dance." "I don't care, either" said Kittie, "Your beau is nearsighted, and every time he goes to kiss you his big mouth goes off before it gets within a foot of your hash trap!"

May 2 —
The Hicks & Gephart office block is one of the finest in the city. Two doctors, a dentist, and a lawyer have fixed up in handsome style. If the dentist breaks your jaw, the doctors are handy and you can see an attorney by opening a door.

Aug. 8 —
The Delaware Bank will commence business in Valley Falls on the last of September with a capital stock of $50,000. Tuesday the stockholders held a meeting in the city, all present but three. Wednesday afternoon, directors and officers will be chosen. It will be a state bank.
The Valley Falls tiling factory commenced operations this week. Without any blowing of horns or big advertising. The work appears to be very good. The mud is taken from the flat ground east of the Santa Fe tracks. Five men are engaged in the factory. The drying shed will be filled this week; only one shed is completed. It holds about 25,000.

Aug. 15 —
A Northwestern freight train was badly wrecked last Tuesday just out of town on the curve in Kendall's pasture. Nine cars were derailed, three of which rolled down the embankment and into the river. One took a header out into the current and floated down the stream about half a mile.

Aug. 22 — 
The Northwestern RR Co. burned their half dozen wrecked cars to get the old iron. David Atchison, the ice man, shipped a car load of ice to Iola.

Sept. 5 —
The Delaware Bank is now doing business. M.P. Hillyer made the first deposit.

Sept. 26 —
Mr. Gunn had about 20,000 tile in his kiln and had commenced firing when the walls gave away. The kiln is a complete wreck, the tiling is not damaged much. Mr. Gunn will at once commence the erection of another kiln and will build it of hard brick.

Part III
Riot on Broadway, Orchard Hill Farm, and a Horrible Conflagration.

The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. March 26.
    

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