Windows reflect Christmas, Pearl Harbor Day

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

A snow-covered, brightly-lighted Christmas tree, planted firmly in the window corner, accompanied by a colorful fireplace mural, complete with "stockings hung by the chimney with care," set the scene for the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum's December window display. A bright red, mega book frontispiece painting with the season's accents and appropriately titled "The Night Before Christmas" promises a traditional reading of the Clement Moore poem, also called "A Visit from St. Nicholas."

An oversized, painted portrait of an approving St. Claus overlooks the quiet scene of expectation of the old gent's visit, including a sleeping puppy and a snoozing cat. Twinkling lights embedded in greenery frame the window, enhancing the holiday mood.

An enlarged sign with the patriotic sentiment, "Home of the Free Because of the Brave," surrounded by military service flags, caps, and United States flags, in remembrance of Pearl Harbor Day, claimed the center of attention for the veterans' window. A red holiday garland, encircling the window, and a single poinsettia served as holiday greetings for all veterans, past and present.

The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. Admission is free.

Christmas shopping in Valley Falls, 1940

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

Three dozen oranges for 35 cents were among the grocery items advertised by the Star Grocery in the Dec. 11, 1940, issue of the Valley Falls Vindicator. A few other items included franks, all meat, 2 lbs., 27 cents; and angel food cakes, 25 cents each. Competitor, Beaman's Grocery and Market, featured pork roast, 14 cents per lb.; spaghetti, 2 lbs., 25 cents; pure grape jam, 2-lb. jar, 19 cents; with Saturday special Folger's Coffee, 25 cents a lb.

G.W. Morrell's Corner Drug Store listed billfolds, 50 cents to $5; flashlights, 29 cents to $1.65; cigarette cases, 50 cents to $2; with cigarette lighters from 50 cents to $12.

Lott's Variety Store's Christmas specials included a lunch cloth and four napkins, hand embroidered, a 98-cent value for 79 cents; and Saturday special, mixed candy, 10 cents per lb.

Waite's Confectionery specials for Christmas were a complete stock of cameras for prices ranging from 98 cents up to $2; five-pound boxes of candy were priced 98 cents, $2.30, and $2.50.

Hatfields's Penslar Store stated "Hundreds of items too numerous to mention." However, a lengthy list of remedies, especially priced for the holidays, special soap prices, and bargains included: 75-cent Bayer Aspirin, now 59 cents; 35-cent Vicks Vapor Rub, now 29 cents; 60-cent Alka Seltzer, now 49 cents; large size Oxydol, 19 cents, or a giant-size, 54 cents; 75-cent bottle Lucky Tiger Tonic and 75-cent shampoo, both for 69 cents.

Gillispie Hardware's gift specials were: electric iron, $1.50; ironing board, $1.25; ice skates, $1; roller skates, $1.25; and pocket pen watch, $1.50.

Stewart's Hardware offered brand new 1941 Jamson Card Tables for $2.98, including two new coaster ash trays that "can't fall off."

Dial Baking Company's Saturday special was orange cake for 8 cents square or two for 15 cents. The Coffee Cup Cafe, Ray and Josephine Gray, prop., Sunday dinner, Dec. 15, was a choice of roast turkey and dressing or Virginia baked ham with mashed potatoes, giblet gravy, creamed cauliflower, combination salad, hot rolls, jelly, Meyer's ice cream, pie, coffee, milk, or hot tea. No price listed, however, undoubtedly within the same price range of Pat's Cafe's Sunday dinner menu consisting of a choice of roast young turkey or roast of fresh pork with cream whipped potatoes, giblet gravy, dressing, buttered peas, cranberry salad, celery, hot rolls, jelly, hot mince pie, coffee, tea, or milk. Choice of dinners, 25 to 45 cents.

For entertainment, the Rio Theater priced Saturday matinee tickets, 5 and 11 cents, eve. 10 and 15 cents; with Sunday matinee, 10 and 15 cents.

The society's museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. Hours are being extended for the Hometown Christmas celebration.

Church Thanksgiving gathering ends with the minister being shot, 1913

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

"The Best Laid Plans..." apparently went awry for the Rev. Fred Daniels Thanksgiving evening according to a December 5, 1913, Valley Falls newspaper report. Quoting the report, "The colored folks of Valley Falls and vicinity had made preparations for holding a festival and supper in their church Thanksgiving and were just getting started when a disturbance was started between "Bill" Tall and Ed Jackson over a matter of a check tendered in payment by Tall for his supper.

"The jangle lasted for better than half an hour during which time Jackson made an unsuccessful search of town for the marshal, and ended only when Tall took a couple of random shots outside the church and one inside which found lodgement in the leg of the minister, Fred Daniels.

"Of course this broke up the supper, and it is said never such a mixture of sweet potato, possum, coon and trimmings ever seen in the church house as was on display after the riot was over. After the shooting, both the marshal and night watch appeared, but no attempt was made to arrest anyone that night. Nor the next morning when Tall was walking about the street and afterward went to Holton.

"Mayor Hatfield became disgusted with the manner in which the whole matter was being handled and ordered the marshal to make complaint and arrest all those known to be implicated or present at the supper and have them brought into police court for examination where the facts, as above given, were brought out and a warrant issued for the arrest of Tall for disturbing the peace.

"The next day when he arrived from Holton he was arrested and pleaded guilty. The police judge assessed a fine of $15.00 and costs amounting to $20.00. He released him on the promise to pay with his father as security. So much criticism was heard of the entire proceedings and absence of action, by the officers of the church, that Tall was later arrested on a complaint sworn out in Justice Shaffer's court, charging 'assault with intent to kill'. The judge apparently looking on the affair as a trivial matter placed the bond at $500 for his appearance at the next term of the district court."

"Tall has a reputation as being 'free with his gun' and it is noted that he drew it on James Judd a short time ago at the depot and on another occasion he broke up a crap game with a double barrel shot gun. With all these matters of common talk, criticism of the laxity of the officers' handling of this case is very severe."

The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Extended hours are planned Dec. 8 for the Hometown Christmas Celebration.

Tragic death of Greta Schuler, 1913

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

Death takes no holidays and plays no favorites.

The Farmer's Vindicator, Aug. 8, 1913, reported the tragic death of Greta, the four-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Schuler. Mr. Schuler was a partner in the Schuler family of undertakers and funeral directors.

Quoting the newspaper report:
"From playing with her little brother in front of the house, the little girl (Greta) ran to the rear when from the back door came a flaming pitcher of gasoline thrown by the frightened mother from the kitchen, into the path from which the unsuspecting child ran.

"Immediately the child was enveloped in flames and dead grass around her was burning. She screamed and struggled in pain and fell a few feet away again setting the grass on fire. Edna Hukill ran to her assistance and rolled the burning body on the ground, extinguishing the fire on the clothing and with her hands snuffed out the fire in the little girl's hair and ribbons.

"Dr. Lowry was called by phone, but the answer seemed unsatisfactory to anxious friends so Mrs. Schuler's sister and Virginia Mitchell ran to his home, to hasten the call. He was already on his way, going by way of his office for bandages and ointments.

"Dr. Pecinovsky ran over from the Catholic church, dressed the burns with flour and syrup and wrapped the screaming child in sheets. When Dr. Lowry arrived, chloroform had been administered, easing the suffering of the child. The little bare legs and arms and face were severely blistered, but not thought to be fatal. The condition of the little patient was favorable all day. She rested and knew Papa and Grandma and called them by name. Toward sundown unfavorable symptoms appeared. The shock was too much for the little heart. The little girl passed away at three the following morning.

"A series of household events caused the fatal accident. Gasoline was low for a household facility and a quart can had been borrowed. An attempt to fill the facility from an open can proved unsatisfactory, gas vapors filled the room and gasoline was poured into a pitcher — a sudden flash and the whole kitchen seemed afire. The flaming pitcher was thrown out the back door in the path of Greta who was known to have been playing at the front door a few minutes before and the awful accident happened, never to be forgotten."

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

Animal tales

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

A blind cow and thriving silkworms gained newsworthy attention and stories about them were printed in the Valley Falls New Era from 1878 to 1906. Examples of the incidents:

October 5, 1878 — "We'll guarantee that Aunt Kitty Gragg has the oldest cat in the state. While in Cedar Creek the other day, we gave the lady (Aunt Kitty) a call. We noticed the old familiar cat, and asked its age. When Billy Gragg was a baby, the cat was a kitten and the two played together. Billy now has four children, all of whom have played with the same old cat, which is over 21 years old. Per Aunt Kitty."

The Valley Falls New Era, June 24, 1882 — "Last Friday evening, Mr. C.A. Harding's blind cow walked into Coy's Drug Store and attempted to go behind the counter on the east side of the store. In doing so, she broke one of the panes of glass of the window. While Mr. Coy and his assistant were trying to lead her out by the ear, she broke another pane out of the window on the other side. No other damage was done."

The Valley Falls New Era, June 7, 1890 — "Minnie Maxwell's silkworm eggs hatched well. She now has about 8,500 of them about an inch long with an appetite that causes them to devour Osage leaves very rapidly. They are now white and do not leave their feeding shell — "

Continuing on July 5, 1890 — "Minnie Maxwell expressed what marketable silk cocoons she had produced from 1/4 ounce of eggs to Peabody, Kan., and received 33 1/3 cents per pound for 19 1/2 pounds. She now has her curiosity satisfied in that line of business. Blue Mound News."

The Valley Falls New Era, Feb. 5, 1906 — "Inez Batchlor's pet goose is dead. Martin Goodman accidentally caused its death. Goosie was out for a walk and a talk when Martin came dashing along in a burst of speed and hit the pet a fatal blow with his buggy wheels. There was sorrow in the household of Inez. Kind friends carried poor Goosie to her home and laid her out.

"Arrangements were made for the last sad rites. A funeral robe was prepared, a grave was dug, and at the appointed hour, the mourners, a score or more of the children in the neighborhood, buried Goosie in a corner lot of her pasture, closing the ceremony with the familiar hymn: 'Old Rhoda — The Gray Goose is Dead.' "

The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Mildfelt speaks to members at 45th annual meeting

The 45th annual meeting of the Valley Falls Historical Society was held Sunday, Oct. 28, at The Barn Bed and Breakfast Inn.

A short business meeting was held following the buffet dinner. The following officers and directors were elected to serve the society for the 2012-2013 term:
Betty Jane Wilson, president, Rosalind Jackson, vice president, Lesa Brose, secretary, Gary Coleman, treasurer, and directors Joan Reichart, term 2015, Anita Stutesman, term 2013, and James Durand, term 2014, and Frank Shrimplin, historian.

The guest speaker was Todd Mildfelt, author and teacher from Richmond. His subject, "The Underground Railroad on the Western Frontier" emphasized the involvement of territorial Kansas.

Author of "The Secret Danites: Kansas' First Jayhawkers," the story of the secret society organized to make Kansas a free state, features Charles Leonhardt, James Lane, the Rev. John E. Stewart, and John Brown and their involvement in the society.

"Wagon Train to Freedom," also authored by Mildfelt, is a story based on an actual underground railroad trip that took place less than a year before the Civil War began traveling approximately 35 miles west of Topeka north for Nebraska. The book is illustrated with black and white sketches by Kelly Hartman who accompanied Mildfelt and was a guest of the historical society. Both of Mildfelt's books were for sale after the meeting.

The historical museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3.

Links aren't those of Odd Fellow; the doctor's daughter; and successful businesswomen

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

A sundry of items from local news sources in the late 1800s included:

The Kansas New Era, Dec. 11, 1873, S. Weaver, Editor — "Last summer, as the workmen were engaged in tearing down the foundation walls of the old mill, three 'links' were found imbedded in the masonry and at a latter date some bones were found in another part of the wall. Later, portions of articles of clothing were discovered. Was the victim an Odd Fellow? A solution to this mystery was made.

"The links were from an old log chain; the bones were those of a defunct cat, and the clothing was part of the suit that Sid Squires used to go "a sparkin' " in."

The Valley Falls New Era, Aug. 19, 1893, E. P. Karr, Editor, Titled "Not A Harmony," the article continued: "Dr. Gillman and his daughter, Mrs. Blackwood, are having a good deal of trouble. The doctor says there is not a meaner woman on the face of the earth than his daughter and, in his own mind, he has no doubt that she poisoned his horse and she has threatened his life and that of his family a number of times. He says she can swear worse than any man in town and that she is a holy terror.

"Mrs. Blackwood, on the other hand, says her father is trying to get her out of town and has sent her threatening letters so that she is afraid to stay at home nights.

"The end of the trouble is not yet and something is liable to happen."

The 1893 New Era continued with a new subject. — "In the feminine business world in Valley Falls, none have been more successful than Mrs. A. Murray, who conducts the leading millinery establishment. Mrs. Murray came to Valley Falls 14 years ago, having lived in Louisville where she was the leading milliner.

"On Jan. 2, of this year, she lost her entire stock by fire. She replaced her stock and her store is now up to its reputation for neatness and stylishness.

"Another female business woman, Mrs. M.E. Witchner, is the proprietor of the City Hotel. Mrs. W. has resided in Valley Falls for 10 years and has been in the hotel business for five years.

"A restaurant is run in connection with the hotel. Cigars, tobacco, and confections, etc., are kept. Neat lunches for passengers travelling through the city are carried to the trains. The City Hotel is as good as any $1 per day house in the city and it is well patronized."

The historical society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13.

Flooding in 1914

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

When it rained it poured. "The worst rain storm in forty years. Bridges washed out, cattle, horses, and hogs drowned. Thousands of dollars damage to this district. From five to fifteen inches of rain," reported the Valley Falls New Era Thursday, June 25, 1914.

Excerpts from the story included the individual and transportation losses.

"Torrential rains, cloud bursts, Delaware flooding fell at Valley Falls last Sunday afternoon and evening. It averaged two inches per hour. An ordinary rain gauge could not hold it all the time. A continuous electrical storm accompanied the torrential downpour. The wind blew and shifted. Streams filled and became raging torrents. Flooding in the bottoms caused great damage to wheat and cornfields between Half Mound and Tosh's bridge along ten or twelve miles of river.

"Whole fields of wheat and shoulder high corn were carried downstream. All three railroads centering here were damaged by the floods. The Missouri Pacific had a 400-foot washout in Crow Hollow and another beyond Dunavant, but these were soon repaired delaying the morning train only 4 hours.

"Trains 503 and 504 passed at Valley Falls at 3 p.m. Trains on the Union Pacific were abandoned for two days by a washout at Walnut Creek bridge where passengers waded through water knee deep for a quarter of a mile to catch the Santa Fe 'plug' to Topeka, as it was the only way in or out on the Santa Fe for two days.

"McLellan, section foreman, with a workforce of men put in two hard days rebuilding the track. Dale Jones is a truthful farmer who lives southwest of town and were it not that his reputation for truth telling had never been questioned, it is doubtful this would be published, but Dale says during the rain, lightning struck a wheat shock in his field and though the rain was coming down in torrents, he went to see if the shock was really afire and when he got to the shock it really was burning brightly.

"If you don't believe his story, he'll show you the ashes. There are various stories as to the amount of rainfall. In the vicinity, from 5.5 inches at M.M. Maxwell's, 9.5 inches at Thos. Knouses, 11 inches at H. Boyers and a tub full at Fount Hurst's.

"Albert Keen of north of Valley Falls says the water coming down Walnut Creek washed a lot of rock uphill onto Dr. Van Meer's place. Some of the rock larger than himself. Of course, he adds, he does not expect anyone to believe it, for he would not, had he not seen it with his own eyes.

"Henry Senn on Walnut Creek suffered a great loss. Three colts were drowned and his hay, oats, wheat and 25 acres of corn were ruined. Sellers Bros. had 1,000 chickens drowned. Ampie Delk had just begun cutting his wheat field on Saturday morning. Monday morning it was buried in the overflow. Monday forenoon shocks and bundles of wheat floated down the current, heads buried in muddy waters. It was bread cast upon the waters to return no more.

"Bunker wheat field across from Piazzek Mill was under water. Joe Lange had damaged crops and a cow, one steer and two calves drowned. Henry Kroll lost crops and several hundred chickens. Will Stauffer of Peter's Creek suffered crop loss and 95 young turkeys. Bolton District farmers lost wheat by overflow from Rock Creek.

"Blue Mound District owners lost wheat from Delaware River overflow. Numerous farms were damaged, pastures covered with mud and some homes destroyed. Brush Creek bridge, three bridges on Rock Creek, and a number of culverts were out.

"An interesting sight was the new audience in the baseball grandstand. Will Bragg's hogs, including two litters of pigs had been marooned there all night. The pigs were rescued in a lumber wagon and the older hogs were made to swim ashore by Bragg and Seible steering them through waist-deep water by holding them by their ears and keeping their noses above water."

Reprinted from Yesteryears, April 2002 (Jefferson County Genealogical Society publication).

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

Rev. J. B. McAfee: founder of Lutheran congregation in Valley Falls and fearless temperance man

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

The Rev. J.B. McAfee was active in public affairs of Kansas for 40 years. Relative to local history in 1857, he organized a Lutheran congregation and built a church, the first Lutheran Church in Kansas, at Grasshopper Falls — now Valley Falls, where the Shrine Church still stands.

During 1862-63 and '64 he served in the Civil War in various capacities. Later, other accomplishments included private secretary to the governor of Kansas, Adjunt General of Kansas, a member of the Kansas Legislature three times, and mayor of Topeka.

He was a lifelong temperance man. When mayor of Topeka, he put prohibition into practice amidst threats to take his life.

Quoting a source, "He enacted prohibition by refusing to sign any license to saloon keepers as long as he was mayor, though they threatened to hang him from a lamp post.

"C.R. Jennison was running a Faro Bank in Topeka while Mr. McAfee was mayor, though the business was prohibited by city ordinance. McAfee found his gambling house, and, being refused admission, he heeded not the threats nor the warnings, but taking an ax in his hand he battered down the door, cleaned out the establishment and prepared to burn it as the law directed.

"He was told by the gamblers that he would not dare to do that if Jennison were present.

'When will he be back?' asked the mayor.

'At 2 o'clock tomorrow,' was the response.

'Well, we will adjourn the burning until the gambler comes,' said the fearless mayor.

"The next day, in the presence of Jennison, the bonfire was kindled and Jennison was meek as a lamb."

(Source: The Topeka Mail and Breeze, May 22, 1896.)

The Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15. Admission is free.

Water troughs installed; an attempted break-in; 1898 meat prices; catching 437 lbs. of fish; Carrie Nation

- Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

"The city has put in two large watering troughs for the accommodations of the public," reported the Valley Falls New Era March 7, 1889. "One for the benefit of the farmers who enter town from the south and west, is near the city park. The other, which will benefit more those who come from the north and east, is on Maple near James Blacksmith Shop. They will always be full of water."

From the New Era, March 26, 1898:
"Tuesday morning about 1 o'clock some person or persons tried to enter the home of James F. Batchelor. They were prying and cutting at the window when Mrs. Batchelor was awakened by the noise. She quietly aroused Maggie Flora, a young lady employed by Mrs. B., and together they got up and Miss Flora, with great presence of mind, took a revolver laying on the dresser and fired several shots through the window at the light outside.

"None of the shots were effective only in shattering the window pane and arousing the neighbors. Mayor Evans, J.H. McNutt and others were soon searching for some trace of the parties, but failed to find even a clue. it was quite a trying situation for the ladies who were entirely alone."

Continuing from the New Era, same month and year:
"Notice: From now on the following prices will rule at our meat market: Loin steak, 15 cents per pound; round steak, 12 cents per pound; chuck steak, 10 cents per pound; rib roast, 12 cents per pound; rump roast, 8 cents per pound; and boiling meat, 6 and 7 cents per pound. —Dort Bros."

From the New Era, October 28, 1899:
Headline: "A Good Catch"
"A fishing party composed of S.T. Mayhew, B.B. Reppert, C.L. Overhosler, S.E. Mitchell and J.W. Mitchell, F. Glenn and Charley Rice were out about an hour Monday seining the Mitchell pond east of the city. The pond is not a deep one and unless the fish were removed, they would be frozen in the ice during the winter.

"A trammel net was used and only three hauls were made in the south half of the pond which resulted in a catch of 437 pounds of fish. The species of fish were principally buffalo and German carp with a few small cats.

"The catch was taken to Mitchell Bros. Meat Market where they were strung up and together with the fishermen were photographed by A.A. Reiderer. After the photo was taken, the fish were put on ice and retailed at 5 cents a pound and most of them were disposed of in a very short time."

Valley Falls New Era, December 29, 1900:
"Mrs. Carrie Nation, president of the W.C.T.U. of Barber County, is in jail at Wichita for trying to destroy the Carey Hotel saloon. She threw a stone through a valuable painting, also a $1,500 mirror, and did considerable other damage."

The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8.

Clarke Davis
Davis Publications, Inc.
The Oskaloosa Independent
The Valley Falls Vindicator
785-945-3257
Fax: 785-945-3444

Former slave Charity Ross finds her long-lost daughter after 45 years

- Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

The Valley Falls New Era, Jan. 14, 1899, featured the following story from the Kansas City Journal:

"An old colored woman sat in the Union Depot yesterday, rocking to and fro, whimpering and moaning softly, while her tears fell on an envelope, which bore her address, 'Charity Ross, Valley Falls, Kan.,' written neatly but crudely. It was the first and only word she has had from her daughter for 45 years.

"The old woman said she had passed the 100-year mark. She had just learned that her daughter, whom she saw sold to a southern slave dealer and carried away as a young woman, was still alive and living on a small farm in Mississippi. The old mother did not have enough money to buy her ticket. She had nothing to eat.

"The notion of trying to find what had become of her child came to her over a year ago. It was 15 years before the war when her daughter was sold. When she went to Kansas about five years after the close of the (Civil) war, she gave up all hopes of ever seeing her daughter.

"The first letter was written for her by a neighbor and was directed to her old master. After months of waiting, she received a letter from him telling her to write to a man who is today living on the farm which forms part of the old plantation. He was the man who brought the purchaser of her daughter to him and from him she might get definite information.

"Another letter was written and again she waited for months before a reply came. This time she secured information by which she came into communication with her daughter. She said she sold everything she owned in Valley Falls to raise money to go to Gunnison, Miss. She sold her cow and the little house in which she had lived with all its furniture.

"Detective Bradley counted her money and found she lacked only 40 cents. He spoke to several people around the depot, raised the balance and purchased a ticket. The porter brought her a basket of food which would last until she got to Memphis. She says her daughter is about 63 years old."

The local museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25. Admission is free.

Horse thieves, Bill Cody, walnuts, street lights and a marital dispute

— Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

A sundry of news items from a sundry of newspapers and editors:

The Grasshopper, Grasshopper Falls, June 8, 1858, J. A. Cody, Editor — "A gang of horse thieves are now infesting our neighborhood and stealing many valuable hourses. We propose that a vigilance committee be organized to look after these gentry and bring them to account. There are some individuals among us who have no visible means of support. Now and then one of them disappears and a horse with him. Let us see to these men and if there is no other way to get rid of them, drive them from the country anyway so that they vamoose the ranche."

The Valley Falls New Era, Aug. 24, 1878, A.G. Patrick, Editor and Proprietor — "Buffalo Bill (Wm. F. Cody) visited the fairgrounds last week with his rifle and illustrated to the boys how he could shoot. A walnut tossed into the air was hit nine times out of ten tosses. A small plum was hit two times out of three and a nickel hit two times out of three, all with a small rifle."

The Valley Falls New Era, Oct. 12, 1878, G. D. Ingersoll, Editor and Proprietor — "The envy of the masculine side of the Sunday school at this season of the year is the boy whose hands show the blackest with walnut juice stain."

Continuing with the New Era and G.D. Ingersoll, Editor, Dec. 14, 1878, — "Two of our business men have exhibited a degree of enterprise for which they deserve praise. We allude now to Mr. Wm. Steffins and Mr. F. LaFountaine who have each erected nice street lamps in front of their business houses. We think this is a matter that our city council should look after, the lighting of our streets. It is not necessary that we should have a gas factory. A great many cities are using the Chicago street system because they are much cheaper. Coal oil is used in them and it is estimated the cost is about a dollar a month per light."

Continuing with the New Era and Ingersoll, Dec. 21, 1878 — "Mr. W.F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) has been appointed a special agent for the Nez Perce and Shawnee Indian tribes on account of valuable services rendered the government as Chief of Scouts."

Valley Falls New Era, Aug. 19, 1893, E.P. Karr, Editor and Proprietor — "Frank LaFountaine and wife got into a fair-sized row in their store Thursday evening over some books, which the old lady refused to give up. They were going at each other rough and tumble and filling the air with profanity when Marshal Stockwell separated them and quited them. Frank went out to Turner Hall and when she returned, the old lady had nailed shut the doors of the store and held possession. The marshal was called again and had to break in. Mrs. LaFountaine went upstairs and took possession there and left the old man downstairs. His troubles have just commenced now since she came home from jail in Oskaloosa."

The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18.

Mr. Stewart's recollections of early Valley Falls, part 5

compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

Part V

"Young folks seemed to enjoy fake patent medicine shows," continued E.J. Stewart in his "Early days in Valley Falls" story. "They set up each season in old Turner Hall (located on the corner of Walnut and Louisa Streets.) They always included an old time clog (tap) dance and a one act play. Oil burning footlights lighted the stage in Turner Hall. The seats were hard bottom chairs.

"The merry-go-round, when it came to town, was a joyful attraction. It was only a nickel a ride, but nickels were not very plentiful among the kids. One year there was a street carnival and the outstanding thing to be remembered was the man on the trapeze. The real thrill was the little one-ring circuses that made one-night stands up on the hill in Coy's addition at the south end of Walnut Street. Usually there was a parade. One year the circus used Mitchell's Feed Lot east of the Santa Fe tracks for a location. A shell game was operated in a tent and it took a lot of suckers.

"The attraction was outside the city limits and city officials could do nothing about it. Maj. Conser was constable and decided he would put a stop to it. The rowdys resented his action and showed him the way up town. He took a safe lead and secluded himself in the back room of Tom Gary's lunch room.

"Winters were plenty cold and rugged and it seemed as though there was a considerable snowfall. What fun it was to go for a ride in a bob sled or sleigh behind a spirited team of horses wearing a string of tuneful jingle bells. There were several who owned a fancy cutter (sleigh) or one could rent one at the livery stable.

"In the good old summertime, boys would gather on moonlight evenings for an exciting game of 'lay-low' or 'run-sheep-run.' Other games played in daylight included marbles, shinny, mumblepeg, and of course baseball. We didn't know anything about basketball, football, or volleyball. The boys called those Halloween pranks fun, but sometimes they went to extremes. There was a time when the keyhole of the lock of a hardware store was filled with cement and quite a number of 300 pound barrels of salt that Lou Hauck kept racked on the east side of his store were rolled down the hill toward the railroad. The upsetting of outhouses was always to be expected.

"In the horse and buggy days traveling salesmen seemed to like to stay in Valley Falls where there were three fairly good hotels. The Cataract was built by the Gardiner family in 1857. It was torn down years ago. The once famous Octagon hotel was erected by Dr. L. Northrup. It burned down 35 or 40 years ago. The Hillyer House was built by Mark Hillyer in the early '80s and was operated for many years by that very well known hotel man Dick Simpson. Just before noon and at 6 p.m. the porter would come out and beat a large gong to let people know that chow was ready to serve. The hotel burned after the turn of the century.

"It seems most fitting and proper to pay a tribute to the pioneers who founded Valley Falls and endured many hardships. They were of a type common in those days, but seldom found now. They were honest and hardworking. Their word was as good as a banker's note. I offer this toast to them! 'May you folks, men and women, always be remembered and never be forgotten.' "

Correction: Recipient of the story was Earl Roy Lillie, not Roy Earl Lillie.

The Society Museum will be open 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11.

Mr. Stewart's recollections of early Valley Falls, part 4

compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

Part IV

"At one time, Valley Falls was very much a railroad center," reminisced E.T. Stewart in his "early days in Valley Falls" story. Three roads served the community. The Kansas central or narrow gauge, later operated as a branch of the Union Pacific and later as the Leavenworth, Kansas and Western was built out from Leavenworth in 1872.

In May the same year, the Santa Fe from Topeka to Atchison was built, and in the 80's the Kansas City, Wyandotte, and North Western came through. For a long time there were 12 passenger and several freight trains in and out each day.

The narrow gauge locomotives were so small they could pull only 10 or 12 freight cars and often the train would stall on the hill east of town until the fireman could build up a head of steam when the train would be cut and the front hauled into Boyle Station then a return made for the other half.

Railroads used oil-burning locomotive headlights and oil burning lamps in the coaches. Railroad coaches were painted yellow and had no end vestibules. They were heated by coal stoves and used the old link and pin couplings.

Railroad section men (laborers) went to work on hand cars and often in the winter after a bad snow storm, they were called out to shovel snow off the tracks to let the trains go through.

Livestock was shipped to Kansas City over the Northwestern. One night, as the train was moving across the bridge over the Delaware southeast of town, the bridge collapsed and the locomotive and several cars of hogs and cattle dropped into the channel. It took a long time to rebuild the bridge.

Farmers 50 years ago lived a different life than they do now. The farmer and his hired hand toiled from sunup to sundown. Hired hands were paid from $10 to $15 per month including board. Men trailed along on foot behind plows, listers, harrows, and cultivators drawn by horses or mules.

Corn was shucked by hand. The farmer's wife generally had to do the milking and churning, feed the chickens, gather the eggs, and keep weeds out of the garden in addition to doing general housework. Cooking and baking were done on a coal or wood stove. The washing machine was a copper boiler, a tub, and a washboard.

Ordinary laborers were paid a dollar for 10 hours of work and there was no leaning on the shovel handle. Clerks in stores received about $25 per month and worked from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week.

For those dependent on farm products, milk was cheap at five cents a quart. Park Murray, the town milk man would come around morning and evening in a two-horse spring wagon which carried two 10-gallon cans equipped with faucets. As he drove up in front of the home, he would ring a large hand bell. The customer would go out with a small pail and Park would draw off in a quart or pint measuring cup the quantity desired.

Next: "Young folks seemed to enjoy fake patent medicine shows that set up each season in old Turner Hall."

The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4.

Mr. Stewart's recollections of early Valley Falls, part 3

— Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

"At one time the old Delaware was very much a scenic river" continued E.J. Stewart in his 'Early Days in Valley Falls' story.

"That was before the drainage board destroyed the beauty by taking out the Leglar and Piazzek dams and putting through a ditch from one to the other to eliminate the bend. The purpose was to get relief from floods but the plan didn't work for in 1951 the flood was the worst in history. It ruined the river. The two dams impounded enough head to operate turbines for two flour and grist mills, a grain elevator and for a long time the first electric light plant.

"There were several famous swimming holes in that river; south of Peter's Creek, Gephart-Kendall pastures, first, second, and third eddy below the Piazzek Dam, Legler's Dam, and Walker's pasture.

"At one time, a small pleasure steam boat took parties of 10 or 15 young people quite a way beyond PawPaw Bend for picnics. In the winter, the river provided swell ice skating and for many years Frank Harman harvested a large ice crop, which he packed in saw dust to serve folks in summer."

Ed. Note: Louis Seible, brother-in-law of Roy Earl Lillie, Vindicator printer to whom the Stewart story was sent, wrote a family history including memories of Valley Falls. His reminiscing included the following Delaware River winter ice story: "During the winter kids skated on the river. The ice got thick enough to put it up to use in the summertime. There was a big ice house on North Walnut Street next to the river. There was a long chute running from the ice house to the river. The ice was marked off in squares about 18 inches wide and three feet long. A horse pulled the marker. A saw was used by hand to cut the cakes of ice. They used pike poles to float the cakes of ice to the chutes where they had a 'johney.' A johney was built with two handles and two or three steel prongs. The workers put one or two cakes of ice on it, pulled it up the chute to the ice house with a team of horses and block and tackle. When the ice house was full, it was packed with saw dust that kept the ice for use throughout the summer."

Continuing Mr. Stewart's story:
"The first electric light plant operated by water power served the stores and three carbon arc street lights. The plant shut down at midnight. Generator capacity was not sufficient for motor service or to serve the homes and there was no daytime service. Most old timers will recall on a still night hearing the noise made by the water wheel drive shaft and gears at Leglar's Mill. The wheel operated old time mill stones that ground corn into chop and meal. There was also a set of mill stones in the Piazzek Mill."

Next: At one time Valley Falls was very much a railroad center.

The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 28.

Mr. Stewart's recollections of early Valley Falls, part 2

- compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

"Grocers did not sell meat and very little fresh fruit and vegetables. People raised their own," reminisced E.J. Stewart in his "Early Days in Valley Falls" story written in 1954 and sent to the Valley Falls Vindicator printer Roy Earl Lillie.

"Baker's Bread sold for a nickel. Sugar, oatmeal, crackers, and cookies came in barrels and boxes and sold in bulk. Corn syrup, sorghum, and vinegar came in barrels and one's jug was filled through a spigot that usually dripped to draw flies.

"Coffee came in bulk and in pound paper packages; Arbuckles, Mohaska, and Lions brands. Some people bought green coffee and roasted it in their ovens. Every household had a coffee grinder. There were no percolators or dripolators. Coffee was boiled in a pot.

"There were two meat markets. Round steak sold for a dime a pound and sirloin for 12 1/2 cents. Steaks were cut from the quarter or loin on the block and weighed while the customer waited; however, the butcher wasn't much concerned if the slice was a bit overweight. Meat was wrapped in heavy brown paper. None was packing house wrapped. When one wanted a mess of liver, he would have to tell the butcher beforehand, otherwise he would throw it away. Price? Wasn't worth anything, therefore, no charge.

"The only trouble with those 'Good Old Days' when a dollar would buy so much more than it will today was, we didn't often have the dollar at one time.

"There were four blacksmith shops, three hardware and farm implement stores, two lumber yards, six grocery stores, two furniture stores, three dry goods stores, two drug stores, two clothing stores, two local newspapers, and various other mercantile establishments. In the display windows of the drug stores were large apothecary jars filled with colored water. They had no soda fountains or lunch counters.

"The Vindicator operated its printing presses by a noisy gasoline engine. The New Era presses were hand powered. Electric power was unknown. All type was set by hand. Linotypes were for large city dailies only. My job was that of the 'printer's devil' for I swept out, set a little type, and in spare time wrote locals and personals.

"There were two handmade cigar factories that made 5-cent cigars for many years. One was owned by Charle Hauck and the other belonged to Frank Shaffer. Barber shops were where men went to loaf as well as to get tonsorial service. Haircuts were a quarter and shaves a dime. Many men got shaved only once a week on Saturday and shops stayed open until midnight. Most men went to a barber shop for a shave as safety razors were yet unknown. Some of the old-time barbers included (Pony) Frank Delorme, Jack Williams, Ed Lewis and his father, Maj. Conser, Jake Lowman, Paul Krummery, and Sherm Mayhew. Many customers kept their own shaving mug at their favorite shop."

Next: "At one time the old Delaware was very much a scenic River."

The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 21.

Mr. Stewart's recollections of early Valley Falls, part 1

written by E.J. Stewart, 1954 (compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president)
Part 1 of a series

This story was found among articles belonging to Roy Earl Lillie following his death in 1962. Mr. Lillie was a printer for the Valley Falls Vindicator and the story (Stewart's) was sent to him.

Following are excerpts from Mr. Stewart's story:

"Having been away from Valley Falls, where I was born and reared, for 50 years, many changes are apparent when I return for a visit. My parents were pioneers, settling in 1891."

Mr. Stewart recollects the many times he had heard of the Grasshopper Invasion and the town and river name changes, then continued:

"Whatever became of the town pump water supply? It was a large dug well at the end of North Maple and a small pump was operated by a very large windmill. No one could control the wind and at times the water got pretty low in the elevated tank up on the hill. Few people knew the well was connected directly with the river through a cast iron pipe. The pumps were supported on a platform down quite a ways in the well and whenever the river would get bank full or flood, the water would back up into the well and the pumps would become submerged.

"The old wooden sidewalks about town are no longer in evidence. The boards would come loose, break, and one end would fly up and trip one for a hard fall.

"On dark nights people carried kerosene lanterns.

"People slept either on fluffy feather beds or hard straw mattresses. Few there were who had springs.

"In winter, children allergic to colds would have to take nasty hive syrup and wear a rag of asafetide around their neck. What a terrible smell.

"Remember the old stone school house surrounded by a wooden fence that was painted white and red? To climb over was a great offense. Even if one were late and the peal of the bell that rang out twice in the morning, twice at noon, and again at recess.

"Lessons were prepared on slates, which would not be used today for they likely would not be considered sanitary. It was always a treat to go to the blackboard at recitation time; also a stay after school to dust the erasers.

"The school's water supply was an open dug well with the old oaken buckets that could not be used today. In the morning, at noon, and before recess the janitor would fill cedar and pressed paper buckets and set them on benches near several school entrances.Tin cups were provided to drink from. On a windy day, one would have to push the dust and leaves back with the cup and dip down quickly to get a drink. People didn't know about germs then and nobody ever got poisoned.

"Christmas cantatas and programs were sponsored by Sunday schools. Each child was sure to get a large orange and a bag of hard candy. It was really a thrill to hear sleigh bells in the distance and directly old Santa Claus would walk in, but that was an old-fashioned custom; however, we thought it was fun."

Next week: "Grocers did not sell meat and very little fresh fruit and vegetables. People raised their own."

The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 14.

Valley Falls Downtown merchants, residents 1957

— Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, president, Valley Falls Historical Society.

A Valley Falls telephone directory for July 1957, retrieved from the Valley Falls Historical Society files, listed the following merchants, professionals, businesses, and residents located on Broadway Street from street numbers 100 through 500 — for reminiscing:
100, Santa Fe Railway;
200, Mercer Chevrolet;
210, County Shop;
300, Wade's Market;
300 1/2, IOOF Hall;
301, Steinmetz and Needham Skelly Service;
304, Gamble Hardware and Newman Plumbing Shop;
306, Needham Implement Co.;
306 1/2, Jesse Dobbins, Bernard Putthoff;
309, Ann's Cafe;
310, Gillispie Hardware;
311, Broadway Beauty Shop and Searles Heating and Plumbing;
312, Vindicator Publishing Co.;
312 1/2, Wilfred Quinlin;
314, Burkert's Shop;
315, Lloyd W. Barker Insurance and Campbell's Jewelers;
315 1/2, Emma Stewart;
317, Jayhawk Appliance;
320 1/2, Bob Rife;
322 1/2, Edna Snider;
323, Kendall State Bank;
323 1/2, R.W. Ferguson;
324, Corner Drug Store;
324 1/2, Mrs. Lulu Dixon;
400, Gordon K. Lowry, Attorney;
401 1/2, Masonic Hall;
404, Margaret's Style Shop;
405, Arthur's Cafe;
406, Citizen's State Bank and H.D. Wyatt Insurance Co.;
409, Hatfield's Penslar Store;
410, Valley Implement Co.
411, Hauck's Department Store;
412, Summerfelt's Hardware Co.;
413, Wilson's Department Store;
415, Valley Self-Service Laundry;
417, Swirly Top;
418, Reichart and Brosa Clothing;
419, Ben Franklin Store;
421, Cook's Hy-Klass Grocery;
423 Orville Gragg Truck Line;
424, Tobin Hatchery and Produce;
425, John K. Griffith, M.D.;
425 1/2, Lois Jean VanGaasbeek;
508, Mrs. Louis Ott;
510, Searles Cleaners;
512, Billings Oil Co. and Hundley Standard Oil;
513, Mrs. I.E. Foster;
517, Mrs. Grace Newman;
522, Phillip Reichart, Broadway and Walnut, Burke Oil Co.

The Valley Falls Historical Society will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 30. There is no admission.

Gragg's Chapel

— Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, president of the Valley Falls Historical Society.
Source: From the files of the Valley Falls Historical Society.

In the winter of 1855, William Gragg moved his family from Platte County, Mo., to the North Cedar community. He chose the south side of Cedar Creek for his homestead. His family of eight sons and daughters settled in surrounding quarter sections and soon the area became the Gragg Settlement.

By April 1, 1855, the settlement consisted of George Parrott, Robert L. Shanklin, John Wood, W.H. Lang, Henry Gragg, John Gragg, Thomas Wood, his wife, and two children, Zack Gragg and Granville McDaniel and his wife.

Others joined the community where land sold for $1.25 per acre. Roads were planned, a saw mill moved in, frame houses, barns, and a store were built as well as a stone school house near North Cedar that served as a community center.

Zachariah Gragg donated ground that first became a cemetery, then a neat frame building was constructed at a cost of $1,400. It was named Gragg's Chapel. In 1870, the Methodist Episcopal South organized with Rev. McEwan as the first pastor of the chapel. Charter members were Zachariah Gragg, John Gragg, and Isaac Ferrell.

During the late 1880s, Gragg's Chapel enjoyed a large membership, serving Bloomfield, Rock Creek and south of North Cedar — who had no churches. The nearest houses of worship were several miles east at Valley Falls. From 1884 to 1888, during Rev. Faubion's ministry, attendance was so large that folks had to stand along the walls during services.

Regular church services were discontinued about 1920 because of lack of funds to support the minister; however, Sunday School classes were held into the 1930s.

On August 23, 1936, approximately 150 people met at Gragg's Chapel under the leadership of M.H. Ginter. It was decided to hold an annual meeting at Gragg's Chapel on the third Sunday of August, officially designated the "Gragg Chapel Community Picnic." Beginning in 1936, 150 to 200 people attended the meetings and picnics. Meetings were held every year except 1944 and 1951, because of floods. Attendance declined and the building was sold in 1950 for $212.50 and dismantled about 1953.

Gragg Chapel Cemetery remains intact on Hwy. 116 approximately five miles west of Valley Falls. Regular maintenance continues by volunteers.

The VFHS museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 23. Admission is free.

Nichols Station

— Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, Valley Falls Historical Society President.
Source: Nichols family history and from the pen of Lois Cleavinger Malm.

"Don't pull up our pegs," begged A.A. Robinson, head of an 1870 surveying party surveying the land of Wilby Nichols' Farm, located between Grasshopper Falls and Nortonville, for the Santa Fe Railroad. A previous survey, known as a gun survey for Santa Fe for a right-of-way from Atchison to Topeka was made in 1868, however, nothing was done about it, and, after a time, Nichols told his sons to pull the survey plugs.

"The railroad is really going through this time," promised surveyor Robinson.

Nichols, an iron worker from Pittsburg, Penn., had moved to Kansas, near Grasshopper Falls with his family in 1860. He bought 160 acres of land 3 1/2 miles south of Nortonville and settled on his farm for nearly 10 years before the advent of the Santa Fe. He consented to the survey request and proved his approval of the rail service by donating a right-of-way through his land 100 feet and also a site for a station known as Nichols' Station in his honor. The open-air flag stop station serviced the community.

The railroad road bed was graded in 1871 and track laid in the spring of 1872. A.A. Robinson and his surveyors, and, later, railroad crews laying track to Nortonville boarded at the Nichols' home located west of the station and track designated areas.The house was known as the "Old Nichols Homestead." It also housed the Ashcroft Post Office. The homestead began as a log cabin, later rooms were added, then siding, paint, a second story, and finally a large screened porch.

In time, the post office was no longer needed and closed. The stockyards and station were removed by Santa Fe with the discontinuance of rail service and eventually the old homestead was empty and met its fate in the 1960s when it was burned to the ground on Hallowe'en eve. The legend of an era became a page in the annals of Jefferson County and Kansas history.

The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 16.

Museum visitors in May

— Betty Jane Wilson, society president

May visitors to the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum, including Memorial Day holiday weekend, were: Melissa, Kendall, and Addison Welborn, Owasso, Okla., Joan Ferrell, Edmond, Okla., Catherine Ferrell and Amy B. Ferrell, both Tulsa, Okla., Elva Ferrell, Midwest City, Okla., Dennis Ferrell, Stillwater, Okla.

Richard Estes, Shannon, Ga., Bruce McDowell, East Keilor, Victoria, Australia, Mary Fike, Golden, Colo., Shirlee Dorr, The Woodlands, Texas, John Call, Phoenix, Ariz., Donna Bilderback Covert and Jerry Covert, Loudon, Tenn., Heidi Bond, Kansas City, Mo., Paul Estes, Middleburg, Fla., Diane Etheron, High Spring, Fla.,

Jerry and Karen Lonard, Lenexa, Doris McAfee, Olathe, Linda Keesling, Perry, Nancy Bond, Topeka, Richard Wellman, Baldwin, and Phil and Donna Dunn, John Duffield, Patsy Frommer, Daryl Ford, Clarke Davis, Sylvia Woodgate, Keith and Pat Jackson, and Les Barnes, all Valley Falls.

The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 9. Admission is free.

Extended museum hours over Memorial Day

The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 26, and will observe extended hours during the Memorial Day holiday period:

• On Sunday, May 27, the museum will open immediately following the Valley Falls High School reunion luncheon and program, closing no later than 4 p.m.

• On Monday, May 28, the museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Admission is free. Guided tours are available. Visitors are welcome.

New sign at the museum

A new sign denoting the location of the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum was installed Friday on the museum building. Society President Betty Jane Wilson reports that Dale Erhart painted the sign. Larry Heinen donated the metal frame and Jerry Heinen donated the installation. Workers shown are Dale Nordlund, top, and Bob Heinen.

Photo by Clarke Davis

Grads and vets honored in museum windows this month

— by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

The April window scene of the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum, featuring colorful nesting bird eggs nestled among branches of apple blossoms, creations of artist Susan Phillips, has been retired in favor of the current display honoring all Valley Falls graduates with emphasis on those of 2012.

School colors dominate with a scattering of small signs depicting diplomas and mortar boards, accompanied by enlarged photos of Valley Falls schools Number one and Number two, and an item of sports apparel.

The military window display remembers the sacrifices of men and women veterans, past and present, with miniature American flags and military company flags surrounded by red poppies interspersed with tiny white crosses reminiscent of the infamous WWI poem with introductory words: "In Flanders Field the poppies blow between the crosses row on row . . ." etc.

The museum is open Saturdays at 10 a.m. and at other times with advance arrangements. Guided tours are available. Admission is free.

Tragic death of Rufus H. Crosby

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

"(The) Hon. R.H. Crosby, Gone to His Long Home!" were the blaring headlines of the Valley Falls New Era, Saturday, Jan. 2, 1892, followed by "The Tragic End of a Busy Life" and the story as follows:

"Last Tuesday afternoon, about 4 o'clock, the city was shocked by the news that 'Mr. Crosby is Dead.' It was, alas, too true; he was, indeed dead, and to make it more startling, at his own hands.

The particulars of the sad affair are quickly told, and to our mind, it is a plain case of temporary insanity. For several days, Mr. Crosby had been sick and was very nervous; his head bothered him a great deal. He complained in the forenoon of extreme pains in his head, almost unendurable; for weeks Mr. Crosby bore the appearance of fast failing health.

"He told hs wife about half an hour before his death was discovered, that he would 'take a little walk' and she observed him walking about their beautiful grounds and paid no special attention for some minutes, but later, missing him, she called, and receiving no answer, went to find him.

"Her attention was directed to the barn by the neighing of the horse at the door. She looked in and oh, horrors! There was her husband hanging from one of the left joists. Mr. McClurg was passing in a wagon at the time, to whom she gave the alarm, and he and Forrest Bliss took the dead man down. He was taken into the house and sympathizing friends gathered and sorrowfully viewed the remains of the departed.

"Mr. Crosby was one of the first settlers in this county. In 1855, he and his brother, William, established the first store of general merchandise in Valley Falls. He was a typical New Englander, born in Maine in 1834. He leaves a brother and sister in this county (William and Mrs. Mary Shepherd) and a brother, George, in Denver. He also leaves a loving wife and an affectionate daughter, Mrs. W.T. Kemper.

"Mr. Crosby has always prospered financially in every undertaking. He was known not only in his own community, but his state acquaintances was (sic) large and he was recognized by all as a model businessman.

"He was a Temperance man, using no liquors or tobacco, and always doing what he could to stop the traffic. He was an intelligent, well-informed man, a great reader, and a writer of ability."

He was a member of the Topeka Constitutional Convention and edited a paper, the Jeffersonian, in 1863. In 1872-73 he was a county commissioner and was mayor of the city two or three times and was a radical Republican.

His son-in-law became his partner in the Valley Falls Bank of Deposit ever being recognized as one of the reliable, substantial banks of the state.

One of his latest endeavors was to see that Kansas and Jefferson County were shown up at the world's Columbian Exposition, of which he was on the promotion committee.

From the address of the Rev. A.I. Bradley delivered at the funeral of Hon. Rufus H. Crosby, Dec. 31, 1891: "If we were to strike out the name and interests of Rufus H. Crosby from the history of Valley Falls, we would destroy the fabric of that history. We shall see his familiar form pass no more."

The historical society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Hillyer business house, later hotel, opens in 1880

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

The July 24, 1880, issue of the Valley Falls New Era reported on improvements made in the town during the spring and summer. Among those built and finished and about ready for occupation was the business house planned by M.P. Hillyer.

The business, located on the southwest corner of Broadway and Sycamore streets, was 60 x 25 feet on the ground with a basement and two stories above. The basement, 10 feet high, was used as a barber shop and storeroom. The second story was to be occupied as a banking house 14 feet high.

A brick and iron vault was installed and excellenty lighted. Front windows were large and composed of five French plate glass each. The upper story, owned by the Valley Falls Lodge, F.A.M., was 15 feet and used as a lodge room. It was divided into a hall 48 x 22 feet and used as an ante and preparation room.

The wall of the building were of stone on the rear and west side, and on the front and east of brick, and finished with a heavy cornice. Eventually, the structure was enlarged and 12 or 14 rooms were added and it was known as the Hillyer House or Hillyer Hotel, famous for its elegance and well-known clientele.

The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 21.

Early setbacks caused by Mother Nature

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

No one said it would be easy, settling a small town and community. Mother Nature played her role in pioneer days along with border ruffians and horse thieves.

A sundry of items from newspaper articles and historical publications reveal the hardships and damages the pioneers endured.

The prosperity of the county was seriously retarded by the big drought of 1860. The crop yield was almost an entire failure. There was no small grain raised and very little corn.

In May 1872 there were heavy rains, which flooded the streams and much damage was done to growing crops. Many places were covered with water for many days.

In the summer of 1874, just as the harvest of small grain was being completed, the grasshoppers appeared in immense numbers. They came down on fields in myriads and within three days the fields of corn and every other thing that was yet green was destroyed.

On June 8, 1875, a severe storm of wind and rain passed over the county and did considerable damage to growing crops and demolished many farm buildings.

April 10, 1882, news clipping: "Valley Falls was visited by a very severe hail storm Friday night about 11 o'clock, which not only broke every window on the south side of every house but ruined nearly every iron and tin roof in town.

"Some of the stones weighed over a pound. They came down thick and fast injuring fruit trees and small gardens. There is not a business house in town that was not more or less damaged. The roofs on the Hillyer bank building were ruined. The plate glass in one of the bank buildings was ruined while another was cracked. "Old settlers say it was the worst hail storm they had ever seen."

The Valley Falls Historical Society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Piazzek changed Polish name, changed it back

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

Grasshopper Falls was not unique in its history of name change. One of the founders of the town also had an experience in changing his name. The Polish name Piazzek was not easily remembered or pronounced by patrons of Joe Piazzek's grist mill, so many began calling him "Joe the Miller."

About the time the name of the town was changed to Sautrelle in 1863, he decided it would be advisable to have his named changed to Joe Miller.

At his request, the change was made by the Legislature; however, before long an estate was to be settled in his home country and no one named Miller was eligible for Piazzek's share.

After some consideration on his part, he induced the Legislature to make his name Piazzek again.

The source of this came from a March 10, 1943, Vindicator in a letter from Edward Baumgardner, Lawrence.

Photos of the pioneer miller and his mills are on permanent display at the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum. The museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.

VF Basketball history new to museum

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

Two sports photo albums or scrapbooks have been added to the library that includes portraits of pioneers, prominent community builders, businesses, street scenes, etc. available for browsing at the Valley Falls Historical Society museum.

The latest additions are two volumes of basketball history and memorabilia of newspaper clippings and photos for the 1966-1972 seasons during the reign of coach Bill Barnes. He is renowned for a record 100 wins after completing five years of basketball coaching.

Sports articles are from the Topeka Capital-Journal, Atchison Daily Globe, and local writings that include those of Junior Rush. Some personal profiles of county coaches, players, and cheerleaders share the limelight.

The albums are available during open hours or on advance arrangements and will be prominently displayed during class reunion periods.

The museum will be open Saturday, March 31, at 10 a.m.

March Madness, 1923-style

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

"Harmony between Valley Falls and Ozawkie basketball fans" headlined the sports column of the Farmers' Vindicator (predecessor to the Valley Falls Vindicator) Friday, March 23, 1923, with the following story:

"After Ozawkie defeated Valley Falls basketball players with the aid of the referee in the Jefferson County Tournament played at Perry last week, the Ozawkie basketball fans sent a Valley Falls basketball fan a loving cup by special delivery made of Ozawkie's silver with about as many holes in it as there are in Ozawkie. The loving cup was wrapped in black crepe paper with the following note: 'You have a bunch of log rollers up there but you ain't got no basketball players.'

"The cup and the note are on display in the front window of Lou Hauck's big store.

"The Valley Falls fan is very proud of this cup because he has drunk out of it at the Ozawkie town well on many a hot summer day, also proud of the fact that Ozawkie admits that we can beat them at log rolling and many other things. After the display is removed from Hauck's store, the owner expects to donate it to the Valley Falls High School to be placed in the case among the many trophies won by the Valley Falls High School teams."

The museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 24.

March window displays at museum

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

A frolicking lamb and ferocious lion, colorful murals created by artist Susan Phillips, to humor the mood of the "in and out" days of the unpredictable month of March set the scene for the window display of the Valley Falls Historical Society museum.

Calendar of events reminder signs include the first day of spring and St. Patrick's Day. Special emphasis on St. Patrick's Day is induced by the appearance of Irish piglet replica, Miss Brigit Molly O'Swine resplendent with shamrock tiara, green slipper shod feet, and an Irish blessing attached to her garment.

An enlarged eagle placard mounted on a patriotic blue background and surrounded by armed service and American flags dominates the veterans' window display honoring U.S. military men and women past and present and serves as a constant reminder to support our troops worldwide.

The museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 17. Admission is free.

1863-64: Grasshopper v. Sautrelle; new school; Piazzek mill

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

Grasshopper Falls vs. Sautrelle, an apparent bone of contention for a majority of the citizens of the pioneer village, proved a popular subject for the Grasshopper Falls Jeffersonian edited by Rufus H. Crosby until late in the year when S.H. Dodge became editor and the publication was the Kansas Jeffersonian.

The publication was a source for opinions, observations and pertinent daily news. A writer to the editor noted, "You perceive I have called the place 'Grasshopper' rather than 'Sautrelle,' the French name imposed by the last legislature. The people prefer English as being the mother tongue."

The Jeffersonian declared, "The name of the post office (recently moved) remains 'Grasshopper' and that our town will be just as soon as action can be taken by the legislature."

The news headlines at the same time were—Hurrah for Poland . . . "Eighty years ago a Polander came to Grasshopper Falls and hired on at small pay in the saw mill that had just been erected. He knew nothing of English, and had but 20 cents in the world. Today, that poor Polander is sole owner of the saw mill, together with a grist mill and woolen factory all the result of a good head joined with willing hands."

September of 1863, headline: "Grasshopper Falls still lives . . . Our friends, in directing their letters to this place, should know the name of our post office has never been changed. Outside of two families, the detestable name of Sautrelle is utterly ignored by our people . . . In after years, the name Sautrelle will only be mentioned as an example of unmitigated folly on the part of the authors."

November 25, 1863, notice: remember the school meeting Monday evening. All who want a new school must be there, and all who don't want one, be on hand to give their objections.

December 7, 1863 — New school house at the school meeting on Monday evening, the board of directors were instructed to procure a site for new school house. It will be built next summer and from the general feeling of our community, will be a large and credible building.

December 1863, Warning — New hoop skirt dangerous. A woman came near losing her life lately in Leavenworth by severing an artery by a broken spring in her hoop skirt. The ladies will take warning.

April 17, 1864 — (Portion of a letter from Rufus H. Crosby) "I shall stop at Harford, Conn., and purchase and ship two looms for the woolen factory of Joseph Miller Piazzek at Grasshopper Falls. Mr. Piazzek deserves much credit in the enterprise manifest by him in improving the water power of the falls, and let me predict that ten or fifteen years will see Joseph Miller Piazzek the proprietor of the most extensive woolen factory in the far west."

The historial society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 10.

Grasshopper Falls in the 1860s

- by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

Nearly a decade after James Frazier, Robert Riddle, Andrew J. Whitney, and Hozea B. Jolley drove stakes for their claim, Grasshopper Falls continued to grow.

Sometimes evidence of growing pains prevailed while periods of lethargy at other times seemed painfully lengthy. A sundry of items from the Kansas Jeffersonian and the Grasshopper Falls Jefferson best describe daily life in the pioneer village.

A loyal local citizen once stated, "We are located about right to become somewhat a city being about the center of a circle of larger towns, Topeka 26 miles southwest, Atchison 26 miles northeast Holton 20 miles west, and Horton 25 miles northwest. Lawrence and Leavenworth 30 to 35 miles southeast."

A school meeting in July of 1863 resulted in the following report:
"The school meeting Monday evening was the best attended and manifested the most interest of any one kind we ever participated in.

"Wm. Crosby was chosen president and Jas. A. Mann, secretary. A new district board was elected who voted to raise a tax of one half percent toward a new school house; one half percent for teachers' wages and a quarter percent for a contingent fund.

"All agree that we must have a good school house commenced as soon as next spring — building to be of stone, two stories high and suitable for a graded school. There are about 50 scholars in the district now.

"Meeting adjourned to meet first Monday in September. The disposition to have more school houses and less whiskey shops is a commendable feature in our village."

The contrasting items appeared in the same publication July 8, 1863, "All the sober people of Grasshopper Falls have been greatly outraged by the course pursued by the fummies in obtaining a permit to disgrace our thriving village with a whiskey shop. The law requires that before a license can be granted, a petitioner for the same must represent the willingness of a majority of the householders of the township. But how was it here? A majority of our citizens, the most substantial householders in the township knew nothing about it, until the license was secured, so slyly was the thing smuggled through by the liquor parties!

"And now we have heard them definantly boasting that they will sell liquor to whom they please regardless of the wholesome sentiment of the community! Shall such unscrupulous proceedings
be longer tolerated?"

The Valley Falls Historical Society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 3. Admission is free.

Society windows honor Rev. King; show Lincoln raising 34-star flag

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

A mega portrait of Martin Luther King, Jr., famed civil rights leader, dominates a window of the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum. Small military service flags and miniature American flags honor the memory of the slain activist and author of the renowned "I Have A Dream" phrase.

The museum's companion window display celebrates the entry of Kansas Territory into statehood with a colorful mural of sunflowers with "Happy Birthday" greetings and a painting of the Kansas state seal. Also featured is a silhouette drawing of Abraham Lincoln coupled with a Kansas magazine cover featuring Mr. Lincoln at the nation's Constitution Hall Jan. 29, 1861. In it, the President is raising the United States flag with its new 34th star, which adds historical significance in honoring the State of Kansas.

The historical society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21.

Sign recognizes Pioneer Cemetery at Valley Falls

by Clarke Davis, The Valley Falls Vindicator

A community project came to fruition Saturday morning when a sign was erected to denote the location of the Pioneer Cemetery at Valley Falls.

Volunteers work to install a new sign at the entrance to the Pioneer Cemetery at Valley Falls. Leavenworth-Jefferson Electric Cooperative dug the post holes and erected the sign posts. Photos by Clarke Davis

Joe Heinen, assistant manager of the Leavenworth-Jefferson Electric Cooperative, credited Maxine Hefty for being the inspiration behind acquiring the sign.

"We need a sign for that cemetery," Hefty kept reminding people who had been busy in recent years clearing, cleaning, and mowing the cemetery, which had been abandoned.

The Knights of Columbus had adopted the project for a time and many individuals and groups joined them in the restoration.

The tombstones were broken and scattered and small trees and brush had taken over the hilltop. Workers gathered up the stones, leveled the area, and made it possible to be mowed again.

Some of the individuals cited who had gone to extra effort on the project in recent years included Ted Montgomery, Earl Stevens, Bill Klenklen, and the late Tom Abramovitz. Large number of high school students joined the Knights on occasion to provide extra manpower.

Former county commissioner Francis Grollmes located some county funds dedicated to cemeteries that is now helping with the upkeep.

Heinen explained that the Knights were being paid to keep it mowed, but told the Delaware Township board to use the money recently to purchase the sign.

The sign was made by Pat and Vicki Langton, Perry.

The graveyard was first called the "Cemetery of the Lone Tree" according to research done a couple of years ago by Joe Kearns.

Township treasurer Maxine Hefty

According to Kearns' research, on file with the Valley Falls Historical Society, the first death in the new settlement was a 16-year-old son of George S. Hillyer, one of the earliest settlers. This along with the death of a young man named Scanlan in the spring of 1855 caused this area to be used for the burials.

The cemetery was given formal status in 1867 when James Frazier deeded a seven-acre parcel to the township. It took its named from a lone tree that stood atop the hill.

The cemetery was abandoned within two decades of its founding when the community established Rose Hill Cemetery. Some of the earlier graves were relocated. The named changed to Pioneer Cemetery in 1875.

Workers from electric cooperative dug the holes and set the sign posts as part of a community service project. Several volunteers showed up Saturday to drill the holes and mount the sign.

In dedicating the project to Maxine Hefty, Heinen noted that it also marked her retirement from the township board after 15 years as its treasurer. She will be followed by Lee Welborn.

The cemetery is located on the west edge of Valley Falls just off K-16 highway.

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1855-56: mill construction, Free State victory, and a hard winter

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

Soon after the town site for Grasshopper (Valley) Falls was laid out and plans for the saw and grist mill building were begun, the town was surveyed by Isaac Cody in the spring of 1855. The town was officially named Grasshopper Falls. Andrew J. Whitney, one of the founders, was named postmaster on Dec. 21, 1855.

The original cabins of the settlers were not built on the town site. The first building on the town site was built by Adam T. Pattie, a pro-slavery man from Leavenworth, who located here in August of 1855, and built a frame building on the corner of Sycamore and Sarah streets. The building was used for a store and saloon.

On January 29, 1856, Adam T. Pattie was appointed postmaster of Grasshopper Falls. Pattie talked pro-slavery sentiments from his saloon and acted the spy on Free State men, sold whiskey, and made money. The Free State men organized a company for offensive and defensive warfare and, under the leadership of one Clark from Iowa, one night made a raid on Pattie's establishment, confiscating everything. Pattie left without ceremony and never returned.

The winter of 1855-56 was one of the most severe winters ever remembered by early settlers. It was bitter and cheerless. Early in December, a deep snow fell, which lay all winter. For six long weeks the sun was powerless to melt ice and snow. In the words of Miss Ring, pioneer school teacher, "The hardships and privations endured by the energetic and unflinching pioneers can never be known or experienced by emigrants now coming to Kansas for homes."

The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7.