Extended Memorial Day hours at the museum

In conjunction with the Valley Falls Alumni events, the museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 28; and on Sunday, May 29, immediately following the high school reunion dinner at the Delaware Township Hall; and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, May 30.

First Decoration/Memorial Day in Valley Falls - 1884

— Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president.

"Last Friday was a beautiful day in Valley Falls," reported Editor R.E. Van Meter, in the June 5, 1884, issue of the Valley Falls New Era —

Continuing: "One calculated to inspire the loftiest patriotism in the breast of those who participated in the solemn ceremony honoring soldier dead in a manner that has come to be an universal custom. Especially interesting was this event here because it is the first time in the history of this town that Decoration Day has been observed!

"Early in the morning, people began to gather in town from all parts of the surrounding country and by 1 o'clock as many as could crowd in gathered in the G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) Hall where special services took place, including the presentation of a United States flag to the local Lewis Stafford G.A.R. Post No. 225 by ladies of the city, many of whom were mothers, wives, sisters, or daughters of many of the post members.

"After some preliminary military maneuvers, those congregated in hall marched down Broadway to Sycamore where the parade was to begin with the following route to the cemetery: from the corner of Broadway and Sycamore, west to Elm Street, south to Mary, west to Frazier Avenue, south to the cemetery to a large floral cross at the top of which was a large card bearing the following inscription, 'In memory of Capt. Lewis Stafford, Lt. T.F. Jolly, Joseph Catt, Henry O. Griffin, Wm. Grigsby, Jonathan Myers, Calvin Turner, Joseph Hilty, Ernest Benedix,' all of whom had the honor to enlist from this neighborhood — only two rest in the cemetery here.

"This is the order of exercises: Prayer by Chaplain W.C. Rose; singing of a patriotic air by a choir composed of seven or eight of our best singers; address by (the) Rev. A.M. Petty; a long poem recited by Miss Kate Goodrich; H.C. Spurlock, adjutant, paid tribute to the noble dead; then followed the ceremony of floral decoration participated in by the G.A.R. Post and the sabbath schools.

"At the conclusion of the ceremony, the assembly dispersed, The G.A.R. returned to their hall where a short session was held and Capt. Schaeffer thanked the ladies for their generous gift, thus terminating one of the most auspicious events in the history of Valley Falls — The first Decoration/Memorial Day!"

The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 28, and Sunday, May 29, immediately following the high school reunion dinner at the Delaware Township Hall, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, May 30.

Mrs. Rebecca Smith in 1888: Methodist Church; names business houses

- compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

"Well, Mr. Editor, I promised to write another letter for the New Era (May 1888) if you wanted me to" continued Mrs. Rebecca Smith, visiting from Missouri, relating her experiences during a visit to Valley Falls.

"Sunday I went to the Methodist Church, but I didn't feel at home for they had the congregation divided into two classes. All those that had the best clothes and fine hats went into a little room behind the parson. I had on my best black cashmere, but my hat is not new and it hasn't long streamers behind, so I hardly knew which room I belonged in, but I stayed with the biggest crowd. Then when the hymn was read, they all sung in both rooms, and all tried to sing the loudest, but the best dressed crowd had an organ and some other thing to play on and they succeeded in making the biggest noise, and when they sat down they looked over into the other room with a victorious smile that I didn't admire, and when the preacher was prayin' one good old man in our crowd said 'Amen' purty loud, then the purty girls in the other room put their fans up to their faces and looked awful tickled.

"By the way, I guess I forgot to tell you I was visiting my nephew and his family, and a right pert family he has, wife as smart as a whip crack. Nephew took the children and me out riding yesterday and I tell you, Mr. Editor, you should feel proud of your city. We rode first to 'Piety Hill' and we had a fine view of the city from the west, then we went up Frazier Avenue to the tower or 'Lord's Hill' and the tower is a good piece of workmanship, an imposing structure.

"We then drove toward Rose Hill Cemetery, a beautiful drive past some fine residences, then turning east one block, we returned by Oak Street, one of Valley Falls' finest streets, then down Broadway, up Maple, down Walnut. We rode on seventeen of the principal streets of the city and enjoyed gazing at the good substantial business houses - dry goods houses such as Kendall's, Deuseth's, Strickland's, Evans and Kemper's; grocery stores such as Lord's, Legler's, Evans, Law's and Dornblazer's; hardware stores as Doolittle's, Beland's, Smith's, Paden and Eberts; reliable banks, excellent hotels, railroad advantages; a large and handsome post office, fine school building, many beautiful churches and responsible newspapers, the New Era and Register.

"I tell you, Mr. Editor, I think if I was a few years younger, I should move to Valley Falls, for it certainly is a beautiful place to live."

The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 21. Admission is free.

More from 1888: Mrs. Rebecca Smith and "the racket" at the Congregational Church

- Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

Mrs. Rebecca Smith, "visiting from Missouri, where my daughter lives," continues writing letters relating her Valley Falls experiences to the editor of the May 1888 New Era because it "would tickle her mightily to have her ma writin' for papers."

Sunday church services were among her reporting experiences. She wrote, "The time I went to the Congregational Church I was much pleased for it is a cozy, and daughter would says 'stylish' church, but when the choir got up to sing, I was beat.

"First the girl at the organ began to play a little tune, then another girl pitched in and sung and sung, and the rest of the choir just stood like sticks and wouldn't sing a word. I guess they had a little spat and that girl was bound to have her sing out.

"Then the man struck in and sung so mad, way down in his stomach. Then another voice tried to get in. All the time the first singer trying to keep ahead of all the rest, and they all sung different hymns, and I thought like enough, the preacher would feel hurt because they did not sing what he announced.

"Well, they never stopped the racket until they all got out of breath, but the girl at the organ could hold out the longest. Then that spiteful little girl started up again, and they had the same fuss all over; but finally I guess they thought they were carrying the thing a little too far in church and they all sat down clean out of breath, but the man opened the window and the girls all used their fans with all the strength they had left.

"Then the preacher gave us a good sermon, and I think it had a good effect on the choir, for when he gave out the next hymn they all sang and they all separated feeling better."

The museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 7. Admission is free.