Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, President, society president
From The New Era, 1904
The fourth year of the 20th century apparently started off with little or no fanfare. The Valley Falls New Era, Jan. 1, 1904, without even a "Happy New Year" reported only "We are informed that Valley Falls will soon have another meat market" and "L.R. Strawn was in from Half Mound yesterday. He is quite enthusiastic over a telephone line that is being built in that locality."
The Jan. 8 New Era followed with a positive progressive report "for some time the telephone exchange to this city has been undergoing quite extensive repairs and improvement under the management of J.A. Zimmerman, the local manager of the independent company. The work is about completed. The exchange is now nicely quartered in the room over Schuler & Son's Furniture Store."
Deaths, marriages, and local everyday events were reported in the normal manner.
Continuing, New Era, Jan. 22, 1904, "Some weeks ago, Ben Shively, one of our busy blacksmiths, had the misfortune to break one of his toes."
Jan. 29, 1904, "The weather has been very favorable for the ice men. They are filling their ice houses with congealed moisture about 8 inches thick."
Feb. 5, 1904, "The burning out of a chimney at the Commercial House yesterday noon brought out the fire department."
Continuing, same publication, same year:
March 18, "The New Century Hotel has opened to the public under the management of Mrs. Hinkle."
April 1, "George D. Bennen and Miss Bertha Palmer, colored, were united in marriage at the colored M.E. Church, Thursday evening, Rev. L. Thomas officiating. These young folks are well and favorably known in this city, having always lived here. The groom has been the faithful servant of A.D. Kendall for years, while the bride has been in the employ of the Geo. Goodrich people."
April 15, "The Independent telephone company of this place has had connection with Kansas City since Wednesday. Will Hauck was the first man to make use of the new connection. G.W. McComas, at Delaware Lumber Yard, Valley Falls."
May 13, "The graduating class is composed of six girls and two boys."
June 10, "DIED – Mrs. Bertha Bennen was born in Kansas City, Kan., July 27, 1885, and died in Valley Falls June 3, 1904, aged 18 years, 10 months, and six days. She came to Valley Falls in 1889, and had many friends in this city. She was married to George Bennen March 30, 1904. The funeral services were held at the Second M.E. Church, Rev. L. Thomas officiating."
June 24, KILLED BY LIGHTNING — On Monday morning about 6 o'clock, during the heavy rain storm just east of town, Mrs. Clara Royer stepped out into the yard to attend to her young chickens, when about 30 feet from the door under a large maple tree, she was struck by lightning and instantly killed.
"Clara Agnes McComas was born in Hancock County, Ind., May 20, 1883, and was stricken dead at her home June 20, 1904. When she was but two years old, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. G.W. McComas, came to Kansas and settled on a farm some nine miles southwest of Valley Falls, where she spent her childhood days, some five years with her parents, came to town where she lived until the time of her marriage. On December 5, 1900, she was united in marriage to Mr. Clarence Royer and soon moved to the farm home where she met her death. To them was born one child, Ester Agnes, aged 22 months, who with husband, father, mother, brother, and sister, is left to mourn. The funeral was preached by G.W. Braden."
July 8, "Monday, July 4, was rather quiet in the city, there being no celebration of any kind, but then we will make up for it tenfold during the carnival in September."
A list of businesses and merchants in mid-year 1904, included: E.L. Overhosler, The Cash Clothing House; Doolittle and Co., hardware; E.N. Kennedy, millinery; W.S. Buker, jeweler and optician; Alex Kerr, groceries; H.H. Mitchell, fresh meats; Delaware Lumber, Good Dry Lumber; Benedix Store, variety store; Frank Monter, contractor and builder; New Century Barber Shop, first door east of P.O.; Hildebrand and Lewis, barbers; Kemper Mercantile Dry Goods; W.W. VanLiew, cabinet work and planing mill; E.E. Nelson, physician and surgeon; T.K. Aitken, D.D.S., dentist; and W.A. Aitken, physician and surgeon.
Next — Carnival and electric lights.
The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 22.
June 19, 2013
June 12, 2013
Death of A.G. Patrick 1903, LaFountain Building fire 1904, J. P. Batchelor builds the Inez Hotel in Kansas City 1907
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
A sundry of early 20th century news items from local publications included the following:
Valley Falls New Era, Feb. 14, 1903:
"Death of a Pioneer, A.G. Patrick." (A.G. Patrick has been mentioned frequently for his business versatility, adventurous spirit, reminiscences etc.) Albert G. Patrick, a pioneer of Jefferson County and one time editor of the New Era, died suddenly at his home in Oskaloosa, aged nearly 80 years. The cause of his death was paralysis. His sister, widow of the late Dr. Cooper, went to her brother's home, looked one moment at the body and fell to the floor paralyzed on one side and unconscious. She died at 11 o'clock Tuesday.
"Mr. Patrick had many adventures in the early days in Kansas and has been a valuable contributor to the history of these gloomy times. The funeral occurred here (V.F.) and was held under the auspices of the Masonic Lodge."
Valley Falls New Era, Feb. 12, 1904:
"Fire broke out in the LaFountain Building last Friday night, 412 Broadway, and was making rapid headway by the time the fire department reached the scene. It took some pretty hard work to save the building, which was considerably damaged. B.S. Chapman and family lived in the upper part of the house and lost a great deal of their household effects. The cause of the fire is a mystery."
Valley Falls New Era, Friday, Dec. 9, 1904, F.W. Arnold, Publisher:
"A Home for Unmarried Men. J. P. Batchelor of Valley Falls, Kans., will build an apartment house for unmarried men at the northeast corner of Ninth Street and Troost Avenue. The plans have been drawn by J. G. Braecklein, an architect at 15 West Ninth Street. The size of the building will be 150 x100 feet. It will be built of Carthage stone and Omaha pink bird's-eye brick. The cornices will be of terra cotta.
"The building will have three stories and a basement. The basement will contain a buffet, Turkish bath, barber shop, bowling alley, and kitchen and boiler room. The first floor will have large corridors similar to the Southern Hotel in St. Louis, billiard rooms, a library, and a dining room. The second and third stories will be arranged in two- and three-room suites, with private baths and wardrobes. The approximate cost will be $85,000. Work will begin in February. — Kansas City Star."
The Farmer's Vindicator, March 15, 1907:
"After a week's visit here, J.P. Batchelor returned to Kansas City Monday to look after the finishing of his new block, 'The Inez,' named for his daughter. The completion of this 'Home' for guests wanting the finest furnished suites, with all modern conveniences and accesssories, meal served in main dining room or in private, was delayed since January. The opening will be announced in a few weeks. 'The Inez' will be in a class by itself, there being nothing equal to it to appointment nor plan in the west."
The historical society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 15.
A sundry of early 20th century news items from local publications included the following:
Valley Falls New Era, Feb. 14, 1903:
"Death of a Pioneer, A.G. Patrick." (A.G. Patrick has been mentioned frequently for his business versatility, adventurous spirit, reminiscences etc.) Albert G. Patrick, a pioneer of Jefferson County and one time editor of the New Era, died suddenly at his home in Oskaloosa, aged nearly 80 years. The cause of his death was paralysis. His sister, widow of the late Dr. Cooper, went to her brother's home, looked one moment at the body and fell to the floor paralyzed on one side and unconscious. She died at 11 o'clock Tuesday.
"Mr. Patrick had many adventures in the early days in Kansas and has been a valuable contributor to the history of these gloomy times. The funeral occurred here (V.F.) and was held under the auspices of the Masonic Lodge."
Valley Falls New Era, Feb. 12, 1904:
"Fire broke out in the LaFountain Building last Friday night, 412 Broadway, and was making rapid headway by the time the fire department reached the scene. It took some pretty hard work to save the building, which was considerably damaged. B.S. Chapman and family lived in the upper part of the house and lost a great deal of their household effects. The cause of the fire is a mystery."
Valley Falls New Era, Friday, Dec. 9, 1904, F.W. Arnold, Publisher:
"A Home for Unmarried Men. J. P. Batchelor of Valley Falls, Kans., will build an apartment house for unmarried men at the northeast corner of Ninth Street and Troost Avenue. The plans have been drawn by J. G. Braecklein, an architect at 15 West Ninth Street. The size of the building will be 150 x100 feet. It will be built of Carthage stone and Omaha pink bird's-eye brick. The cornices will be of terra cotta.
"The building will have three stories and a basement. The basement will contain a buffet, Turkish bath, barber shop, bowling alley, and kitchen and boiler room. The first floor will have large corridors similar to the Southern Hotel in St. Louis, billiard rooms, a library, and a dining room. The second and third stories will be arranged in two- and three-room suites, with private baths and wardrobes. The approximate cost will be $85,000. Work will begin in February. — Kansas City Star."
The Farmer's Vindicator, March 15, 1907:
"After a week's visit here, J.P. Batchelor returned to Kansas City Monday to look after the finishing of his new block, 'The Inez,' named for his daughter. The completion of this 'Home' for guests wanting the finest furnished suites, with all modern conveniences and accesssories, meal served in main dining room or in private, was delayed since January. The opening will be announced in a few weeks. 'The Inez' will be in a class by itself, there being nothing equal to it to appointment nor plan in the west."
The historical society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 15.
June 05, 2013
"Whole affair a perfect success" - memories of the Cataract Hotel
"Whole affair a perfect success"
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Reminiscent of early times the life and fate of early landmarks come to mind. An Oskaloosa Times 1901 article titled "The Passing of an Old Landmark," reporting the tearing down of the Cataract Hotel, the first hotel of renown of Grasshopper/Valley Falls stirred memories for A.G. Patrick, Valley Falls' early day resident, adventurer, businessman, and might be declared self-claimed historian. He gave the following facts to F.C. Scott, publisher for the Valley Falls New Era, Dec. 7, 1901:
"During the excitement of the spring of 1857, the citizens of then Grasshopper Falls, as well as others interested in the growth of the place, got together and offered inducements for the building of a commodious hotel. The McCarger Brothers, about this time, came along and offered to accept 24 lots, which was agreed by all parties interested. The lumber was immediately procured and the carpenters put to work. Simon C. Gephart and George Outwater having the contract.
"When the building was completed, everyone around the Falls felt proud of their fine public enterprise, and the general conclusion of the 'boys' was that the building should be dedicated by a grand ball.
"Tickets were issued and invitations sent far and near and the whole affair was a perfect success. The cakes alone that adorned the table cost over $100. There was a fine company present and a dancing accommodation for six sets of cotillions. Those days all were in for healthy and enlivening amusements, and but few did not participate in the pleasures of the dance.
"Some time during the land sales of that year, McCarger Brothers sold out to W.C. Butts and David Fradenburg, and they to other parties — the first in succession John Beland and then Adam Weiser, Mr. Bliss, Mr. Colvin and the last landlord, J.J. Gardiner.
"During early times, a bar was attached and whiskey drinking and card playing was as free as mountain air and Grasshopper Falls got quite a notoriety for jollification and revelry. Among the frequent visitors were Dr. A.H. Deaver, Bob Shanklin and Tom Terrill, all hailing from a river town called 'Jefferson City' about a mile north of Cedar Falls, a place that had a sickly existence with two shanties, one called a tavern and the other a grog shop and a hole of water to quench the thirst from the rot gut that was dispensed to wayward claim jumpers who happened to pass that way.
"They were all good at cards, especially Tom, who played upon the boys in the way they despised, holding full hands and flushes, and like the 'heathen Chinese' throwing out with a smile so 'childlike and bland'.
"Take down the Cataract House, but you can never efface from our memory old Tom and his periodical uppees; although, when sober, a decent Irishman, who finally gave up whiskey altogether."
The society's museum will be opne at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 8.
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Reminiscent of early times the life and fate of early landmarks come to mind. An Oskaloosa Times 1901 article titled "The Passing of an Old Landmark," reporting the tearing down of the Cataract Hotel, the first hotel of renown of Grasshopper/Valley Falls stirred memories for A.G. Patrick, Valley Falls' early day resident, adventurer, businessman, and might be declared self-claimed historian. He gave the following facts to F.C. Scott, publisher for the Valley Falls New Era, Dec. 7, 1901:
"During the excitement of the spring of 1857, the citizens of then Grasshopper Falls, as well as others interested in the growth of the place, got together and offered inducements for the building of a commodious hotel. The McCarger Brothers, about this time, came along and offered to accept 24 lots, which was agreed by all parties interested. The lumber was immediately procured and the carpenters put to work. Simon C. Gephart and George Outwater having the contract.
"When the building was completed, everyone around the Falls felt proud of their fine public enterprise, and the general conclusion of the 'boys' was that the building should be dedicated by a grand ball.
"Tickets were issued and invitations sent far and near and the whole affair was a perfect success. The cakes alone that adorned the table cost over $100. There was a fine company present and a dancing accommodation for six sets of cotillions. Those days all were in for healthy and enlivening amusements, and but few did not participate in the pleasures of the dance.
"Some time during the land sales of that year, McCarger Brothers sold out to W.C. Butts and David Fradenburg, and they to other parties — the first in succession John Beland and then Adam Weiser, Mr. Bliss, Mr. Colvin and the last landlord, J.J. Gardiner.
"During early times, a bar was attached and whiskey drinking and card playing was as free as mountain air and Grasshopper Falls got quite a notoriety for jollification and revelry. Among the frequent visitors were Dr. A.H. Deaver, Bob Shanklin and Tom Terrill, all hailing from a river town called 'Jefferson City' about a mile north of Cedar Falls, a place that had a sickly existence with two shanties, one called a tavern and the other a grog shop and a hole of water to quench the thirst from the rot gut that was dispensed to wayward claim jumpers who happened to pass that way.
"They were all good at cards, especially Tom, who played upon the boys in the way they despised, holding full hands and flushes, and like the 'heathen Chinese' throwing out with a smile so 'childlike and bland'.
"Take down the Cataract House, but you can never efface from our memory old Tom and his periodical uppees; although, when sober, a decent Irishman, who finally gave up whiskey altogether."
The society's museum will be opne at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 8.
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