Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Repetitive reminders of specific dates and events often result in traditional reminders. A traditional reminder of the first Decoration (Memorial) Day ceremony observed in Valley Falls is slated to become a traditional review and reminder by the Valley Falls Historical Society.
The patriotic event was reported by the Valley Falls New Era Thursday, June 5, 1884, by R.E. Van Meter, editor. First known as Decoration Day, the story follows:
"Last Friday a most beautiful day in Valley Falls, and one calculates to inspire the loftiest patriotism in the breasts of those who participated in the solemn but eminently fitting and beautiful ceremony of honoring the soldier and dead in a manner which has come to be an almost universal custom.
"Especially interesting was this event here because it is the first time in the history of the town that Decoration Day has been observed, which is accounted for by the fact that but two heroes of the last war are buried here.
Early in the morning people began to gather into town from all parts of the surrounding country and by 1 o'clock, the hour set for meeting of the G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) headquarters, the town was alive with people, and as many as could crowd in, gathered into the G.A.R. hall, where special services took place, among which was the presentation of a handsome United States flag, presented to the post by the ladies of the city, many of whom are mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters of members of the Stafford Post.
"The presentation on behalf of the ladies was made by the writer and A.A. Griffin, the post commander, responded in a very stirring patriotic speech. Those congregated in the hall formed a procession and marched down to Broadway where the following order of the parade was arranged:
"City officers; Sunday schools; Capt. Lewis Stafford, Post No. 225, G.A.R.; Crescent Lodge No. 86; International Order of Odd Fellows; ACME Lodge No. 42; IOUW; Valley Lodge No. 67; KOFR; other societies, citizens on foot, carriages, and other conveyances.
"The following was the line of march to the cemetery: From corner of Broadway and Sycamore west to Elm Street; thence south to Mary; west to Frazier Avenue; south to cemetery where there on foot in the procession were drawn up in line on either side of a large beautiful floral cross, at the top of which and facing west, was a large card bearing the following inscription:
"In memory of Capt. Lewis Stafford, Lt. T.F. Jolly, Joseph Catt, Henry G. Griffin, Wm. Grigsby, Jonathan Myers, Calvin Turner, Joseph Hilty, Ernest Benedix.
"All of which had honor to enlist from this neighborhood, but only two of which now rest in the city of the dead here. Following prayer, ceremonies, tributes, floral grave decorations by posts and sabbath schools, ceremonies were concluded and crowd dispersed, terminating one of the most auspicious events in the history of Valley Falls."
The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 1.
May 22, 2013
Museum open longer hours for Memorial Day / Alumni weekend
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Displayed against a curtain of patriotric blue, the following message is featured in the seasonal window of the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum.
"For every moment of peace, liberty, and greatness our country enjoys, we have someone who has worn a uniform to thank," accompanied by an additional tribute to our service men and women,
"A time to honor, remember and be grateful."
A simple red and white floral enhances the scene with a scattering of stars and poppies on a red carpet.
The veterans' window honors the service men and women, past and present, with a window lined with a red, white, and blue garland interspersed with poppies reminiscent of the infamous poem "In Flanders Field, the poppies blow," etc. of World War I renown. A background of blue curtain, fronted by a row of military company service flags, each decorated with a green wreath, centered with a white cross and topped with a red poppy.
"Lest we forget."
The museum will be open Saturday, May 25, at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday, May 26, immediately following the high school reunion dinner, until 3 p.m. and on Monday, May 27, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Displayed against a curtain of patriotric blue, the following message is featured in the seasonal window of the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum.
"For every moment of peace, liberty, and greatness our country enjoys, we have someone who has worn a uniform to thank," accompanied by an additional tribute to our service men and women,
"A time to honor, remember and be grateful."
A simple red and white floral enhances the scene with a scattering of stars and poppies on a red carpet.
The veterans' window honors the service men and women, past and present, with a window lined with a red, white, and blue garland interspersed with poppies reminiscent of the infamous poem "In Flanders Field, the poppies blow," etc. of World War I renown. A background of blue curtain, fronted by a row of military company service flags, each decorated with a green wreath, centered with a white cross and topped with a red poppy.
"Lest we forget."
The museum will be open Saturday, May 25, at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday, May 26, immediately following the high school reunion dinner, until 3 p.m. and on Monday, May 27, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
May 15, 2013
1886: expensive gifts, gambling, and real estate for sale
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
A sundry of news items from the Valley Falls New Era in the late 1880s and 1890s —
Valley Falls New Era, Jan. 7, 1886:
"Mrs. R.H. Crosby made her husband a present of a handsome solid gold watch and chain a day or so ago. R.H. returned the compliment by purchasing his wife an equally handsome time piece and made his daughter Lottie a present of a $1,500 Chickering Piano, one of the handsomest instruments of the kind ever brought to Valley Falls."
Jan. 28, 1886:
"Wonder if it's a fact that a gambling den and whiskey joint is in operation over Geo. Lewis's barbershop? If it is a fact that the city marshal is in league with the outfit said to be holding forth over Lewis's barbershop?"
Feb. 11, 1886:
"Wednesday evening, Feb. 3, Geo. Lewis entered the Era office and cowardly assaulted the editor for his article of Jan. 28, initiated under 'Wonder if it's a fact that a gambling den, etc.' The only redress was to go before Police Judge Simpson and swear out a warrant for Lewis's arrest, the judge imposing a fine of $10 on the graceless scamp. It was probably not more than 10 minutes from the time Lewis entered our office until the police judge passed sentence."
Feb. 4, 1886:
"The old Hillyer House building is offered for sale. This means a new and commodious structure will be erected on the old site this coming summer."
March 4, 1886:
"According to the enumeration for 1885, Valley Falls had a population of 1,335. Of this number, 1,212 are native born and 123 foreign; 1,206 white and 129 colored. The nativity of this population from foreign countries is as follows: Germany 36, Ireland 21, England and Wales 17, Scotland 3, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark 7, France 2, Autro-Hungary and south of Europe 27, and British American 10."
April 22, 1886:
"For sale, the Octagon Hotel and furniture. The site was chosen, edifice built, and is still owned and occupied by Dr. L. Northrup as his resident hotel. The first floor contains well, cistern, kitchen, hotel office, dining room, and office bedroom. The second floor, parlor and chambers. Third and fourth floors, all chambers. It is a stone structure and being octagon in form, makes it the strongest building in the country. The inside is furnished in walnut throughout. The hotel grounds front, 137 feet on the north side of Broadway and 204 feet on the east side of Maple Street, and in addition to the above, joining on the east side of the hotel driveway running north, are ornamental grounds and four business lots fronting on Broadway with four building lots north of them. All can be bought for ten thousand dollars. This is the first time the Octagon has been for sale."
May 13, 1886:
"School ends May 21. This will be the first annual commencement of the Valley Falls High School."
The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.
A sundry of news items from the Valley Falls New Era in the late 1880s and 1890s —
Valley Falls New Era, Jan. 7, 1886:
"Mrs. R.H. Crosby made her husband a present of a handsome solid gold watch and chain a day or so ago. R.H. returned the compliment by purchasing his wife an equally handsome time piece and made his daughter Lottie a present of a $1,500 Chickering Piano, one of the handsomest instruments of the kind ever brought to Valley Falls."
Jan. 28, 1886:
"Wonder if it's a fact that a gambling den and whiskey joint is in operation over Geo. Lewis's barbershop? If it is a fact that the city marshal is in league with the outfit said to be holding forth over Lewis's barbershop?"
Feb. 11, 1886:
"Wednesday evening, Feb. 3, Geo. Lewis entered the Era office and cowardly assaulted the editor for his article of Jan. 28, initiated under 'Wonder if it's a fact that a gambling den, etc.' The only redress was to go before Police Judge Simpson and swear out a warrant for Lewis's arrest, the judge imposing a fine of $10 on the graceless scamp. It was probably not more than 10 minutes from the time Lewis entered our office until the police judge passed sentence."
Feb. 4, 1886:
"The old Hillyer House building is offered for sale. This means a new and commodious structure will be erected on the old site this coming summer."
March 4, 1886:
"According to the enumeration for 1885, Valley Falls had a population of 1,335. Of this number, 1,212 are native born and 123 foreign; 1,206 white and 129 colored. The nativity of this population from foreign countries is as follows: Germany 36, Ireland 21, England and Wales 17, Scotland 3, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark 7, France 2, Autro-Hungary and south of Europe 27, and British American 10."
April 22, 1886:
"For sale, the Octagon Hotel and furniture. The site was chosen, edifice built, and is still owned and occupied by Dr. L. Northrup as his resident hotel. The first floor contains well, cistern, kitchen, hotel office, dining room, and office bedroom. The second floor, parlor and chambers. Third and fourth floors, all chambers. It is a stone structure and being octagon in form, makes it the strongest building in the country. The inside is furnished in walnut throughout. The hotel grounds front, 137 feet on the north side of Broadway and 204 feet on the east side of Maple Street, and in addition to the above, joining on the east side of the hotel driveway running north, are ornamental grounds and four business lots fronting on Broadway with four building lots north of them. All can be bought for ten thousand dollars. This is the first time the Octagon has been for sale."
May 13, 1886:
"School ends May 21. This will be the first annual commencement of the Valley Falls High School."
The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)