Impression of Nortonville, 1889

- Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

The Oskaloosa Independent continued reporting on the growth of Jefferson County neighbors of Valley Falls with the following evaluation of Nortonville in the Sept. 14, 1889, issue of the newspaper:

"Nortonville is a beautiful little city on the north border of Jefferson County. They claim some 800 inhabitants. It presents the best appearance of any town in the county, except the county seat. It has as fine a buildings as are to be found in any of the small cities in the state, and is surrounded by the best farming country in eastern Kansas. They have but one R.R., the AT&SF, a good road and accommodating, and well patronized by the people.

"We notice several new buildings in course of erection, among them a business house by the Hon. A.J. Perry, dimensions, 40 x 70 brick. Mr. Perry is a live, wide-awake businessman and indispensable to this city.

"Janssen Bros. are new arrivals in the business circles of Nortonville and are making it hot for competitors in the hardware business. They sold quite a bill of hardware near Oskaloosa, and propose reaching out all over Jefferson and Atchison counties for trade. They are selling nails for 50 cents less on the keg than can be bought at any other store in the county. They propose carrying a big advertisement in the Independent to let people know what they have and how they sell it.

"We visited the canning factory and found Supt. Copley up to his eyes in business. Tomatoes are coming in now at the rate of 500 bushels per day and the Supt. will increase his force up to about 100 by the first of next of next week. At present outlook, this enterprise will distribute some $1,000 or $1,500 per week among the farmers and town people and is highly appreciated by all.

"The cheese factory is an older concern, but is one of the substantials of the town.

"We met Dr. D.T. Brown, who is one of the medical fraternity and has been located here for two years. The Dr. has a large practice and deserves success.

"We found the new postmaster busy dishing out the mail. Mr. Eckles, besides being postmaster, does an extensive business in the line of insurance.

"J.C. Stone, proprietor of the Commercial Hotel, understands the wants of his guests and takes pride in your comfort while a sojourner. When you come to Nortonville, give him a call.

"We went out among the farmers a day or so and find most farms abound with overloaded crops. Everything in abundance except fruit and money. So far as money is concerned, they propose to arrange that by some sort of legislation. They are banding themselves together in one common brotherhood called The Alliance. It is understood their fight is mainly against the banking system of the country and they propose to have things on a more humane basis and our observations predict that success will crown their efforts, if this organization don't (sic) allow itself to be killed by plunging into partisan politics and allowing certain elements in it to prostitute the order to their own selfish ends."

Source: Yesteryears, a publication of the Jefferson County Genealogical Society.

The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open Saturday, Dec. 3, at 10 a.m.

Impression of Winchester, 1889

- Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

The growth and development of Jefferson County towns was reported from time to time by the Oskaloosa Independent. The Sept. 14, 1889, issue of the newspaper reviewed the status of Valley Falls' neighbors, Winchester and Nortonville.

"The little city of Winchester, 10 miles northeast of the county hub [Oskaloosa], is a flourishing town. Its people are chuck full of vim. The businessmen are awake to the needs of the trade, and through the indomitable perseverance of a few live men, Winchester is getting the wherewith.

"W.S. Weatherford and Son seem to outstrip all competitors in the race for trade. They carry an immense stock of goods, being by far the largest collection of general merchandise to be found in any store in Jefferson County.

"They draw trade from almost every part of the county. Monday, Sept. 2, their cash sales 'foot up' the neat little sum of $125. Go and see . . . They have a $20,000 stock to select from. There are other firms in the same line of trade, but they were too busy to give us any pointers.

"Miss Sue Forsythe is the leading milliner and dressmaker of Winchester. We noticed two or three pieces and can recommend her work as being tasty and very neat. Ladies, when you are in need of a new hat or want a new dress made, find Miss Forsythe's place.

"Mr. Harry Lillie keeps a first class restaurant where you can get all kinds of confectionery, ice cream and soda, cigars and tobacco. Boys, when you want to treat your girl to ice cream and candy, go and spend your money at this place. you will find the proprietor a first-class young man.

"Mr. L.G. Howard, Winchester's barber and hair dresser, is so well and favorably known that it seems useless for us to try to add anything more to his reputation by anything the Independent might say. This much, however, is due Mr. H. as a barber, there is none better in the county."

Next: the editor's impression of Nortonville. (The source: Yesteryears, a publication of the Jefferson County Historical Society)

Windows reflect fall festivities

by Betty Jane Wilson, Society President

Hail and farewell to the Hallowe'en window scene at the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum. Shiny fabric, black cats with bright glaring eyes, a spider web accompanied by a string of miniature jack- o'lanterns with twinkling lights overseen by a wise old owl and tottering offspring served as harbingers of the trick-or-treat season.

November days ushered in the new theme of autumn days with emphasis on nature's bounties. Small displays of pumpkins, apples, ornamental gourds, stacks of autumn foliage enhanced by a window-length background farm scene mural reflecting harvest fields, surrounded by a timberline of colored trees. A simple "Give Thanks" sign reminds us of the approach of the nation's Thanksgiving holiday.

Veterans of all wars, yesteryear and today, are honored November 11, Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day. Military service flags, American flags, and miniature eagle symbols line the veterans' window, designed to remember and support our veterans.

The historical society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12.

More impressions of Grasshopper Falls, east to Mooney Creek, 1855-56

- Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, president

The Kansas Weekly Herald, Leavenworth, K.T. (Kansas Territory) Friday, June 8, 1855, continued the newspaper's series on Kansas towns with the following commentary:
"On Saturday, having the offer of Mr. Whitey (presumably A.J. Whitney, one of the town founders) to take a ride with him in his carriage, to Grasshopper Falls, we accepted, and must say, we were delighted with the trip.

"We passed over as pretty a country as the eye ever rested upon. The prairies are rolling and dry, soil rich and interspersed with beautiful groves of timber all along the many large and small streams. The Stranger and the Grasshopper are the largest streams we saw with an abundance of good timber on each of them.

"The Stranger Creek is about is about ten miles out and Grasshopper is about 18 or 20 miles still farther west (from Leavenworth). About four or five miles west on Stranger Creek, we crossed what is known as Money (Mooney) Creek. The prairie on each side of it is of unsurpassed beauty — high, dry, rolling, and rich. There is a small bottom on this stream with a great body of excellent timber.

"Crooked Creek is the name of another stream four or five miles west of Money (Mooney) Creek and its name truly indicates what we found the stream to be. In the distance of about two miles, traveling a due west direction, we had to cross it four times . . . The bottoms of this creek are rather subject to overflow, but upon them is a large growth of fine timber capable of supporting many valuable farms upon the adjoining rich prairie lands. . .

"­Soon, very soon, those rich prairies over which we passed, will be dotted with large cultivated fields of hemp, wheat, corn, and the various products of this climate. . . This country is undoubtedly one of the best stock grazing sections to be found in the world . . . It cannot be excelled anywhere. The rich pastures of this prairie will feed and fatten stock in any quantity two thirds of the year. We soon reached Grasshopper Falls and stopped for the night where we had good accommodations.

"Taking a stroll over the town site, we admired its beauty and gently undulating surface. The town site is on the east side of Grasshopper at the Falls. The surface has a gradual and regular ascent for three quarters of a mile. From the eastern limits of the town, you have a view of the timber beyond Osawkee and Hickory Point, eight and ten miles distant and over the Grasshopper in an opposite direction for many miles, of fine bodies of timber on the tributaries of that stream.

"There are two or three streams that empty their waters a short distance above. The view alluded to is grand and magnificent. The town site is high, dry, and lays beautiful to the morning sun. It includes about sixty acres of valuable timber, which will add much value to shares. The Falls of Grasshopper affords one of the best mill sites in the west. There is a perpendicular fall of over six feet with rapids immediately below. A large grist mill is now being erected and we are assured it will be in operation during the summer.

Kansas Weekly Herald, Leavenworth City, K.T., January 19, 1856:
"Grasshopper Falls — There is built and in operation one of the best mills in the territory."

On the 18th of February, 1856, a drawing of lots among shareholders took place marking the town's growth from town site to town to city.

The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5.