1888 "Whittier lunch" in Valley Falls

- compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

"Well, I like Kansas right well. Of course, some things are not just to my way of thinking, but that is nothing," — words from a lady named Rebecca Smith and written to A.W. Robinson, editor of the Valley Falls New Era, May 1888.

Mrs. Smith explained, "Mr. Editor, I am an old woman a' visiting in Valley Falls. I have been here about three weeks. My home is in Missouri, and my daughter lives there, and she takes the New Era. See, I thought if I wrote a letter for your paper she would see it and it would tickle her mightily to have her Ma writin' for papers. I go around a good deal and I mean to as long as I stay. 

"Last week I had an invite to a woman's suffrage club; they was to have a Whittier lunch. I never heard of that before, but I didn't want to show my ignorance too much, so I never inquired anything about it, but I made up my mind I'd go and find out and maybe I'd get some new ideas to to tell our mite society when I go home. 

"Well, I went  and the women were all sitting around the room dressed up in their best bib and tucker and everyone had on a yellow ribbon. I expect that is the style. One woman they called Mrs. President began to talk about Whittier, a man that  makes rhymes, you know, and she told where he was born and how old he is and a whole pack of stuff. I guess she is purty well acquainted with him; then she called on all the rest of the women and some read about him and some told scraps of history and some recited his poetry.

"I tell you they did give that old man a big send off and I made bold to ask a slip of a girl near me what they talked about Mr. Whittier so much for and she said, 'O, he is a great equal suffrage man!' and then some more pretty girls brought in the nicest supper and the tea was just splendid. I tell you, nothing lifts an old lady like a good strong cup of tea, and Mr. Editor, that was a Whittier lunch. I have learned that much."

Rebecca will continue to write letters to the editor relating her experiences in Valley Falls.

The historical society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 30. Admission is free. 

Items from the 1889 New Era, part 4

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

November 28 —

Last week we visited Orchard Hill Farm and wrote up the famous horses, Everemond, Joe Larkin, Prairie Wilkes, and Wedgemond. They were the glory of Jefferson County and Kansas was justly proud of them. Now it becomes our duty to chronicle the fact that all four of these valuable animals are dead; burned up. Through, we might say, criminal thoughtlessness of an employee on the farm. A lighted lantern was left in the stall where Wedgemond was taking his breakfast Sunday morning, and while no one was in the barn, the horse, presumably, knocked the lantern over.

The Webster family was eating breakfast when the fire was observed. Heroic efforts were made to secure the horses, but nothing could be saved. The north and south doors of the barn were left open and the wind was from the north, so a draft was made and the whole inside of the barn was burning before the fire was observed.

Copy from the Topeka Capital:
In the stable were, beyond any question, the finest collection of trotting bred horses including Everemond, 2:24 1/4 ; Prairie Wilkes, 2:39 (a 3-year-old); Edgemond, 2:41 (4-year-old); and Joe Larkin, a famous stallion. All were destroyed in spite of all efforts to save them. The breeding of the horses was exceptionally fine. Everemond had proved himself one of the fastest and gamest race horses ever in Kansas, and hardly one month since his yearling son, Patsy Curtis, made a record 2:52, the fasted time for a yearling between the Mississippi River and California.

Prairie Wilkes had a 3-year-old record made at Emporia this fall of 2:39. Wedgemond had a 4-year-old record of 2:41. Joe Larkin, was a fine looking, large, and well-gaited roadster; no horse in Kansas took first place over him.

The entire loss to Webster & Son cannot be estimated, but $75,000 would not replace the destroyed property. There was no insurance. The loss is not confined to Webster & Son, but the State of Kansas is the same. The proprietors no doubt have the deepest sympathy of all Kansas breeders, and it is to be hoped this loss will not prevent them from being in the future as in the past, the foremost breeders in Kansas and the west.

Items from the 1889 New Era, part 3

A sundry of news items from the Valley Falls New Era from January to November 1889, Part III.

- Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, president of the Valley Falls Historical Society.

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

September 26 —
Mr. Gunn had about 2,000 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. This time he will build it of hard brick.

October 10 —
The tile factory is a success. The first shipment was to Joel Pontius of Nortonville.

November 7 —
Gunn will burn one more kiln of tile. It is no trouble to sell them.

November 21 —
Last Tuesday, we (Editor A.W. Robinson) accepted a seat in Rev. A.I. Bradley's buggy and enjoyed a ride to Orchard Hill Farm, five miles west of the city. The day was pleasant, the roads good, the preacher's stepper lively, the pastor agreeable, and the ride delightful. Mr. Bradley is an admirer of a fine horse and drives one that he thinks can make a mile inside of three minutes. This farm, owned by I.C.Webster and Son, is composed of ten hundred and twenty acres and is beautifully located. We were met by Mr. Webster, Jr., who immediately proceeded to show us around. They now have on the place ninety-one head of horses and over seventy head of handsome cattle.
The first barn we visited is a fine structure, 40 x 70, and will shelter sixty head of horses. It is built in modern style, good water service, feed bins, and elevators. Every foot utilized. The basement has a solid stone floor not laid by Mr. Webster. It was always there.
Another barn is a dandy and here is where the famous horses, Everemond, Joe Larkin, Prairie Wilkes, Hoffman, and Wedgemond (racers and trotters) have handsome quarters. This barn is 36 x 40 and has all modern improvements.
Their residence is a large commodious building on the top of a hill, overlooking a broad expanse of country. After one gets there, he dislikes to go away.

November 28 —
Our heretofore usually quiet city got its war paint on last Monday and a melee occurred on Broadway. A man from Topeka, who gave his name as Billie Wilson, got off the 4:30 Santa Fe Train "drunk as an owl" and immediately attempted to besmirch our handsome town with a hideous whiskey red. When Marshal Young's attention was called to the drunken artist, he reached for him but failed, alone, to carry the fellow to the "bastille" and called for assistance. The fellow fought like a gladiator, but he was dumped in the hoodlum wagon and carried to the lock up.
While the officers were putting the prisoner in the wagon, one Sam Johnson knocked the marshall down and then the "free for all" commenced. It looked like war for a few minutes, but the offender Johnson was probably the most punished man.
We want to say right here that, it does not pay to interfere or obstruct an officer in his performance of his duty. The man Wilson appeared before "hizonner" the next morning, was assessed $15, and walked out of town. Other particpants in the melee were assessed to the tune of $52 and $41.50.

The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 2.