Jailed for cohabitation - 1886

- compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president. 

Two jailed for cohabitation without benefit of marriage in 1886

Moses Harmon's daughter one of defendants

Apparently the "course of true love" does not run smoothly. The Valley Falls New Era, predecessor of the Vindicator, Sept. 16, 1886, reported "a disgraceful affair" with the following details: 
"Sunday, the 20th, at the residence of Mr. Harmon, senior editor of 'Lucifer' of this city, a form of marriage was gone through by E.C. Walker, junior editor of 'Lucifer' and Miss Lillie Harmon, the 16-year-old daughter of M. Harmon, the latter performing the ceremony, which to the effect that the contracting parties bind themselves to live together only so long as the compact is mutually agreeable and the name of neither shall be changed. This is all in accordance with the vicious doctrine so vigorously advocated by 'Lucifer' of late. 

"W.F. Hiser, stepbrother of the girl, swore out a warrant for the arrest of Walker and Miss Harmon, the charge being illegal cohabitation. Almost the entire day, Monday, was spent trying to get bail for the defendants, the amount being $1,000, but without success. Tuesday morning, Constable Boles took them both to Oskaloosa, where they were lodged in the county jail to await trial before Justice Simpson."

Valley Falls New Era, Sept. 30, 1886:
"E.C. Walker and Lillian Harmon were arraigned before Justice Simpson Monday morning to answer to the charge of illegal cohabitation. Walker was brought to Valley Falls Monday morning from Oskaloosa where he had been in jail since the previous Tuesday. Since the jail was full, the girl was not detained but brought home where an officer of the law kept a watchful eye.

"Moses Harmon was the principal, and in fact, the only witness examined. He stated that he was perfectly cognizant of the peculiar compact entered into between his daughter Lillian and E.C. Walker, and that it was all in accordance with his fullest and freest consent and approval. Justice Simpson was but a few seconds coming to a conclusion when the arguments were closed, and announced his decision binding them over to district court in the sum of $1,000 each. 

"The announcement was received with rapturous applause by the large audience present. It is understood that N.H. Harmon, her uncle, offered to go her bond, but she refused as he would not go her bail in the first place. She will be a guest of the sheriff until court convenes as there is no room for her in jail. Walker will occupy quarters at the jail with the rest of the prisoners.

"It is to be hoped that the case, let it run the gauntlet of all the courts, will be incontrovertibly decided against the social marplots, moral lepers, and conspirators."
 

Valley Falls New Era, Oct. 28, 1886:
"E.C. Walker and Lillian Harmon have received sentence by Judge R. Crozier. Walker's is 76 days in jail and the girl's 45, and the costs of the case are to be paid by them."

The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 2.

Museum window display honors King, celebrates Kansas

— by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

Famous words from a famous person and a famous adage celebrating a famous event set the stage for the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum's windows for January.

A mega portrait of Martin Luther King capped with his popular words, "I Have a Dream," with a background of military and United States flags honor the celebrated activist on his January birth date.

A giant mural by local artist Susan Phillips, depicting huge sunflowers growing freely among young corn stalks and ripening wheat stems, serves as a background for a Kansas Day reminder. Enhancing the scene, at the base of the mural is a colorful flage of the state of Kansas that was flown over Camp Sapper II, Ali Air Base, Tallil, Iraq, on Memorial Day, May 30, 2005, courtesy of Lee Tafanelli, Colonel, Battalion Commander. A small painting of the Kansas seal, by the artist, hangs above the memorials remembering the territory of Kansas entering the union as a state Jan. 29, 1861.

The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26.

J. P. Batchelor home

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

"A Handsome Place" was the headline story in the Valley Falls New Era Nov. 25, 1899, featuring the new home of Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Batchelor. 

Mr. Batchelor was a prominent businessman and builder in Valley Falls. The story follows:

"This city can now boast of one of the handsomest and most modern residences in this county, setting high on a terraced lot 150 by 300 feet surrounded by large and shapely trees of oak and hard maple, this handsome building with its massive pillars, large porches and many gables, presents a sight that can be referred to as one of the architectural beauties of this section.
"In erecting this handsome home Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Batchelor spared nothing in making it complete in both beauty and convenience. The location of this home is the finest in the city, being several feet above the streets, is slightly rolling, large and convenient to the business center. The visitor upon entering these grounds from the east sees at the first glance the beauties of both the grounds and the buildings. 

"Upon entering the house one is ushered through the tile floored vestibule into the reception hall, where the architectural art is most liberally displayed. This hall is covered with a beautiful shade of blue paper, the mantel is very massive, of pure white to correspond with the other trimmings. The grille work here is copiously displayed which makes a handsome and harmonious appearance. 

"The parlor which is off from this hall to the north is in a delicate shade of tan, while the sitting room on the south of the hall is in maroon and gilt. These rooms are both connected with the reception hall by large folding doors so arranged as to connect them all, forming one large room. Back of the sitting room is the library which is furnished in green, making a soft and agreeable light to the eyes. 

"The dining room, just back of the parlor is very large and is furnished in green and olive. From the dining room the kitchen is connected by a large buttery. The kitchen itself is very large and contains besides the usual pantries all the conveniences necessary in way of hot and cold water, sinks, etc. 

"Upon entering the upper hall from the winding stairway you are first confronted with a Turkish corner. This little nook is the entrance to the first balcony, and will be elaborately decorated in oriental designs, making not only a handsome, but cool and pleasant retreat. 

"On this floor is located on the north, the family chambers and sewing room which is nicely lighted, with natural wood trimmings and blue paper. East of this room and in the front of the building is the guests chamber, a large and handsome room in orange. Mrs. Beland's room, mother of Mrs. Batchelor, is located in the front on the south and is one of the most pleasant and attractive apartments in the house. 

"Mr. Batchelor did not forget his children in planning his house, and both Harold and Inez have pleasant rooms trimmed to suit their tastes, Harold's is in a shade of blue, while Inez' room is her favorite pink. 

"The bath room and lavatory are located on this floor and are fitted with the best sanitary appliances. The garret, or third floor is fitted up for a play house for the children and also contains the servants rooms and entrance to the upper balcony, a place that will be very attractive on warm summer evenings. 

"The house throughout will be heated by the hot water system from the cemented basement, where is also located the gas generating apparatus for lighting. 

"All the rooms on the first floor have cove edge ceilings, distinct trimmings and will be fitted up with furnishings to match. The floors are of hard finish and will be principally covered with rugs. The large bow windows extending to the roof on the north and south together with the large plate windows serve to make a splendidly lighted residence. 

"Mr. and Mrs. Batchelor expect to occupy their handsome residence about the first of the year and it is hoped they may live long to enjoy their beautiful hone."

The Batchelor residence, located at 504 Oak Street, is one of the three late 19th century houses pictured on the December page of the 2013 Valley Falls Historical Society calendar.

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

Valley Falls Bank Robbery, 1890

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

"He came in on the morning Santa Fe train from the west, got breakfast at the Octagon Hotel, registered as D. Smith, Leoti, Kansas. He carried a little bundle," reported the Valley Falls New Era, Saturday, March 6, 1890.

"About 11 o'clock he hired a horse at Harman's Stable to use a couple of hours saying he had some cattle he wanted to see, but in 10 minutes he tied the horse in front of Crosby's Bank while he perambulated up and down the sidewalk, undoubtedly waiting for an opportune moment to make a move on it.

"Mr. Harman noticed the man was not using the horse and told him he would return it to the stable if he was through with it, which he did. About 4 o'clock a man, apparently a farmer, wearing an old cap, a ducking coat, overalls, with a red handkerchief tied over his face entered Hicks, Gephart & Co.'s Bank, took a chair by the stove and said he wished to sit there a few minutes, that he had a bad neuralgia in his face.

"It was a busy day at the bank and cashier John Coen was alone. Several people came in while the farmer (?) was warming, but paid no attention to him.

"Near six o'clock, Mr. Coen was uneasy and told the fellow to go to a hotel if he was sick. The man said he would leave soon. Mr. Coen was putting money in the vault when the 'sick man' appeared at the vault door with two ugly looking revolvers pointed at Mr. Coen's head and told him to put about $10,000 in the bag he carried.

"Coen told the fellow he did not have that much, but he could take what he had. The robber told the cashier to put what currency he had in the bag. Coen dropped $2,803 into the sack, then the thief told Coen he would lock him in the vault for safety, but Coen pled with the fellow telling him he could not live until morning in the vault.

"The robber then told Coen he would lock him in the bank, but he must not sound an alarm or he'd be shot. He then backed out the bank door, covering Coen with his revolvers and still wearing the handkerchief over his face. As soon as he was gone, Coen rushed to the front door and sounded an alarm.

"Within three minutes, a hundred people were at the bank. The block was surrounded, barn and houses were searched, but in vain.

"Nearby towns were alerted of the robbery by telegraph and by search parties. About 11:30 p.m. a telegram was received from Meriden stating that the supposed robber was there. Harry Shire and Joseph Summerville were deputized to go to Meriden.

"The suspect dressed as the robber's description entered the Meriden depot telling the operator he wanted to get the first train, but was told the first train was not until 5 a.m. The suspect then went to a hotel repeatedly telling the clerk he must be awakened in time to catch the 5 a.m. train.

"The officers arrived at the hotel and concluded to wait for their man to come down. At 5 o'clock the landlord awakened the man and the two deputies and a constable were prepared. Shire and Summerfield had shotguns. When the suspect entered the door, he was twice asked to hold up his hands, but he kept going toward the front door and with a daredevil grin thrust a hand in each coat pocket for his guns.

"The officers fired simultaneously and the man fell dead in his tracks. News reached Valley Falls at once and the coroner was notified but failed to appear.

"Judge Frazier held an inquest on Sunday. The town of Meriden was full of people anxious to view the deperado, but none could identify him. The dead man was dressed as he was when he arrived in Valley Falls not as he was when he robbed the bank. $2,812.18 was found on the robber's body, a carpenter's rule with the initials 'S.R.,' a silver watch with 'R' on the case, and receipt for a registered letter sent by 'S. Robertson, Burlington, Kansas, to D. Smith, Ottawa, Ks.'

"He was about 30 years old with light brown hair, a red mustache, two weeks' beard, blue eyes, weighed 180 lbs., and was 5 feet, 11 inches tall.

"Later, three men from Ottawa arrived in Meriden and identified the man. His name was Shannon Robinson from Homewood near Ottawa. He kept a small store, was postmaster, had an 18-year-old wife and one child."

From the editor of the New Era, "Our photographer, Mason, has some dandy photographs of the robber for sale. He took six different negatives."

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