Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
It was a historical event and like so many traditional reminders written or recited, our town's stake-driving claim deserves its own spot in the annals of history.
The following article, compiled by former historian, the late Arthur Strawn, was printed in the Valley Falls Vindicator Dec. 26, 1963.
Christmas Day, 1854 —
On the morning of Saturday, December 23, 1854, four men — James Frazier, Robert Riddle, Andrew J. Whitney, and Hoze Jolly — set out on foot from their camp on the west side of the Grasshopper River (Delaware). After traveling north about three miles, they crossed the present site of Valley Falls, at the corner of Sycamore and Sarah streets. A short distance farther up, they crossed the Grasshopper River and wandered up to about the mouth of Coal Creek before they started their return trip.
A short distance above the present town site, at the mouth of Cedar Creek, they found an Indian village and tried to make them understand that the object of their search was a waterfall for a mill site, but did not get any intelligible directions. Continuing their return trip, they reached the point where they had crossed the river. Here James Frazier wandered down a trail along the river hoping to find a ford. While still in the hazel brush, he heard water running over the rocks, and yelled, "ten foot falls!" (really only about three feet high), at the top of his voice. The others came running and in a minute more, Grasshopper Falls (Valley Falls) was discovered.
They returned to the high prairie and moved their camp up to this point on the 24th, and drove stakes for their claim on Monday, December 25th, Christmas Day, then commenced the erection of a cabin. Thus Christmas Day, which has so many meanings for everyone, has a very special meaning for the people of Valley Falls.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20.
December 16, 2014
December 09, 2014
Open House at museum Saturday the 13th
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Snowmen, complete with carrot noses and little beady eyes, hoard the corners of a Christmas scene dominated by a tall, green tree decorated with graduated sizes and shades of royal purple ornaments topped with a bright, red bow.
The Valley Falls Historical Society's seasonal museum window reflects the winter holiday with steadily twinkling, tiny lights.
An oversized "Happy Birthday Grasshopper Falls" greeting card lauds the city's birthdate, December 25, 1854.
The veterans' window rimmed with greenery and red garlands surrounding U.S. and military service flags and caps honors veterans past, present, and future.
A simple sign with bold, black letters "December 7, 1941," serves as a grim reminder of a national tragedy. A peace sign will replace the reminder.
The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, and observe Christmas on Main Street with an open house.
Snowmen, complete with carrot noses and little beady eyes, hoard the corners of a Christmas scene dominated by a tall, green tree decorated with graduated sizes and shades of royal purple ornaments topped with a bright, red bow.
The Valley Falls Historical Society's seasonal museum window reflects the winter holiday with steadily twinkling, tiny lights.
An oversized "Happy Birthday Grasshopper Falls" greeting card lauds the city's birthdate, December 25, 1854.
The veterans' window rimmed with greenery and red garlands surrounding U.S. and military service flags and caps honors veterans past, present, and future.
A simple sign with bold, black letters "December 7, 1941," serves as a grim reminder of a national tragedy. A peace sign will replace the reminder.
The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, and observe Christmas on Main Street with an open house.
November 26, 2014
Some local news items from 1917-1919
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
A series of "Out of the Past" items gleaned from the yellowed pages of a Valley Falls historical scrap book reveal incidents of daily life, important events, and work-a-day requirements of businesses prominent in the first quarter of the 20th century in Valley Falls.
From the pages of the Valley Falls Vindicator, Oct. 2, 1917:
"The tiling for the roof of the new Santa Fe Depot has arrived and is being put in place as fast as the weather permits.
"Sheriff O'Brien is getting more up-to-date each day. He now has a typewriter in his office — an honest to goodness writing machine, which is being manipulated by Undersheriff Rice.
"The fire bell tower, in its new coat of red paint, was hoisted on its new location in the rear of the new fire station Saturday afternoon by Henry Farra and crew, assisted by a large crew of spectators. The second day after it was put in place at the new fire station, the fire bell called the department to the home of Walter Fleisher when a quick run was made from the new and handy fire station.
"The 'fire' call to 'central' was handled by Miss Kate Williams, for a new operator, and Walter Moxley, who was in his office, was called upon to ring the bell. G.B. Allen followed on a quick run to open the station door. The members of the fire company, from store and shop, rushed to the station where they met E.B. pulling out the hose carts and while you looked were off to the fire, but fortunately it was only a chimney fire."
Nov. 23, 1917:
"Everything is in readiness for the dedication of the new $125,000 Santa Fe Station next Monday. The program as arranged will begin promptly at 3 o'clock in the afternoon and will consist of music by the band and a few short speeches. The Ramblers Club will serve punch, cigars will be furnished by the Commercial Club."
Feb. 1, 1918:
"Perk Delk filled his ice house with fine ice from the river for his ice cream parlor next summer."
Jan. 18, 1918:
"Jacob Heer, proprietor of the Valley Falls Bottling Works, attended the State Convention of Bottlers at Lawrence the first of the week.
"The several horse and mule buyers, Hurst, Delk, Blake, Addy and others attended the Horse and Mule Auction at Topeka Saturday.
"Lou Hauck, Maud Bruton, and John Burkert of the Hauck Department Store, attended the Merchants Convention Tuesday and Wednesday."
Feb. 15, 1918:
"Born to Mr. and Mrs. Fount Hurst Monday night, Feb. 11, 1918, a son, Dr. J.M. Marks reports.
"E.A. Huber was out on the Central Branch territory this week taking orders for his popular brand of cigars.
"Mrs. Jas. Hatfield, of St. Joe, spent last Saturday at Valley Falls with Mrs. Chas. Norris and other friends and especially to see the new boy at Uncle Fount Hurst's.
"Ed Samon, the implement dealer, reports the sale of three 10-20 tractors, the best and latest out to Hockens Bros., Frank Wunder, and S.F. Cornell.
"M.I. Hurley, manager of the Kemper Stock Farm, shipped three cars of cattle to Kansas City Sunday night for Monday's market."
Oct. 24, 1919:
"At the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.D. Kendall, Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 15, 1919, the marriage of their daughter, Lida Marie, to Mr. Earl Earnest Ferguson took place. Mrs. Fred Legler, sister of the bride, sang 'Still As the Night' by Carl Bohm, after which the bridal couple, preceded by the officiating of clergyman, the Rev. C.E. Holcombe, of the Federated Church, but otherwise unattended, entered the parlor where in the presence of a small company composed of immediate relatives and a few intimate friends, the double-ring ceremony was read.
The Valley Falls Historical Society will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.
A series of "Out of the Past" items gleaned from the yellowed pages of a Valley Falls historical scrap book reveal incidents of daily life, important events, and work-a-day requirements of businesses prominent in the first quarter of the 20th century in Valley Falls.
From the pages of the Valley Falls Vindicator, Oct. 2, 1917:
"The tiling for the roof of the new Santa Fe Depot has arrived and is being put in place as fast as the weather permits.
"Sheriff O'Brien is getting more up-to-date each day. He now has a typewriter in his office — an honest to goodness writing machine, which is being manipulated by Undersheriff Rice.
"The fire bell tower, in its new coat of red paint, was hoisted on its new location in the rear of the new fire station Saturday afternoon by Henry Farra and crew, assisted by a large crew of spectators. The second day after it was put in place at the new fire station, the fire bell called the department to the home of Walter Fleisher when a quick run was made from the new and handy fire station.
"The 'fire' call to 'central' was handled by Miss Kate Williams, for a new operator, and Walter Moxley, who was in his office, was called upon to ring the bell. G.B. Allen followed on a quick run to open the station door. The members of the fire company, from store and shop, rushed to the station where they met E.B. pulling out the hose carts and while you looked were off to the fire, but fortunately it was only a chimney fire."
Nov. 23, 1917:
"Everything is in readiness for the dedication of the new $125,000 Santa Fe Station next Monday. The program as arranged will begin promptly at 3 o'clock in the afternoon and will consist of music by the band and a few short speeches. The Ramblers Club will serve punch, cigars will be furnished by the Commercial Club."
Feb. 1, 1918:
"Perk Delk filled his ice house with fine ice from the river for his ice cream parlor next summer."
Jan. 18, 1918:
"Jacob Heer, proprietor of the Valley Falls Bottling Works, attended the State Convention of Bottlers at Lawrence the first of the week.
"The several horse and mule buyers, Hurst, Delk, Blake, Addy and others attended the Horse and Mule Auction at Topeka Saturday.
"Lou Hauck, Maud Bruton, and John Burkert of the Hauck Department Store, attended the Merchants Convention Tuesday and Wednesday."
Feb. 15, 1918:
"Born to Mr. and Mrs. Fount Hurst Monday night, Feb. 11, 1918, a son, Dr. J.M. Marks reports.
"E.A. Huber was out on the Central Branch territory this week taking orders for his popular brand of cigars.
"Mrs. Jas. Hatfield, of St. Joe, spent last Saturday at Valley Falls with Mrs. Chas. Norris and other friends and especially to see the new boy at Uncle Fount Hurst's.
"Ed Samon, the implement dealer, reports the sale of three 10-20 tractors, the best and latest out to Hockens Bros., Frank Wunder, and S.F. Cornell.
"M.I. Hurley, manager of the Kemper Stock Farm, shipped three cars of cattle to Kansas City Sunday night for Monday's market."
Oct. 24, 1919:
"At the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.D. Kendall, Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 15, 1919, the marriage of their daughter, Lida Marie, to Mr. Earl Earnest Ferguson took place. Mrs. Fred Legler, sister of the bride, sang 'Still As the Night' by Carl Bohm, after which the bridal couple, preceded by the officiating of clergyman, the Rev. C.E. Holcombe, of the Federated Church, but otherwise unattended, entered the parlor where in the presence of a small company composed of immediate relatives and a few intimate friends, the double-ring ceremony was read.
The Valley Falls Historical Society will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.
November 11, 2014
Downtown fires in the 1890s were stayed by water works and firemen
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
A simple news item in the Valley Falls New Era, Jan. 31, 1891, stated:
"There are more horses and mules bought and sold at Fon Cook's Stable in Valley Falls than any other place in the county."
Ironically, the same news source, Saturday, Oct. 8, 1892, reported:
"Last Tuesday night, about 8 o'clock, the alarm of fire was sounded. Cook's Livery Stable was burning. Before the alarm was given, the fire had advanced so far that nothing could be done to save the barn, nor contents.
"The loft was full of hay and everything was so dry that the flames licked up the building as if it were shavings. The fire company worked manfully on adjoining buildings and saved the Hillyer House block. Had it not been for our water works and fire company, the business part of this town would have been a heap of smoldering ashes.
"Mr. Cook's loss is considerable, having 19 horses burned. Origin of the fire is unknown."
Nov. 24, 1894, from the New Era:
"Swallow's Drug Store and Nutting's Building's Ruined.
"Last Saturday morning about 2 o'clock, our city was again visited by a disastrous fire that for a time threatened the complete destruction of all the business houses on the north side of Broadway, west of Sycamore, and it was only by the hardest kind of work and efficiency of our excellent water works system that the Masonic Building was saved and the fire confined to Legler's and Nutting's brick building. No reason can be assigned the fire's origin. It was supposed to be spontaneous combustion.
"It started near the prescription case. The entire stock of drugs, recently invoiced over $3,700, is a complete ruin. The Dr. was on a deal to sell the store and would have had it sold in 10 more days. The stock was insured for $2,700."
Another fire — Valley Falls New Era, Jan. 5, 1895:
"Our city has again been visited by a disastrous conflagration, and inside of two hours our business houses completely gutted by fire and water. About 10:15 Wednesday night, a dense volume of smoke was seen coming out of the stairway between Paxton and Paxton's Store and Mrs. A. Murray's Millinery Store. Joe Ireland and Ed Burkert room upstairs and were nearly suffocated by the smoke. Mrs. Murray has a dressmaking room upstairs and lives there. Dr. Gillman's Dental Office is upstairs over Mrs. Murray's store and R.K. McCarney has his real estate and insurance over the Paxton's Store.
"There are various rumors how the fire started. Night watchman Gray gave the alarm and the city hall fire gong was rung but was not loud enough to awaken many. The hose cart was quickly pulled to the fire scene and some hands were found to man the hose. Two streams of water were turned on the burning stock of goods.
"The building is brick and the fire was confined inside. Mrs. A. Murray had a $3,400 stock of millinery goods, which were a total loss, no insurance; Dr. Gillman's dental tools and office fixtures ruined, no insurance; Mr. McCarney's office was ruined, he had insurance.
"Praise to those who fought the flames and kept them from spreading and for the best water works system in the state."
Valley Falls New Era, Saturday, Nov. 9, 1895:
"Burned out. A disastrous blaze. Our city was again visited by a disastrous fire, the third to occur within the space of less than one year, and had it not been for our excellent water services and gallant fire department, the north side of Broadway would now be in ruins. Nine o'clock Sunday night, George Winfield, who worked in 'Dad' Harmon's Livery Stable, discovered fire in one of the empty stalls in the stable. There was a strong smell of coal oil, and there is no doubt that the stable was set on fire.
"He (Winfield) gave the alarm and started to get the horses out. He succeeded in cutting a number of the animals loose and leading them to the door, but they would break loose from him and run back in. He saved a mare belonging to him and two head belonging to Mr. Harmon. Eighteen head, six Mr. Harmon's, perished in the flames. Dr. Marks lost his driving team, buggy, and grip full of instruments. Dr. England lost his team and phaeton (light, four-wheeled carriage), John Beeson lost a team and the organman had a team of horses and mules burn.
"The fire spread rapidly owing to high winds from the south. The skating rink, belonging to David Nutting, was a complete loss and he lost two pool and one billiard table and about 50 pair of roller skates. A building between the livery stable and Swiler's Drug Store, occupied by John Beeson for a poultry house, contained about a ton of poultry destroyed by the fire.
"Praise to the fire department boys under the leadership of Capt. DeLorm for the work they did fighting the flames."
A simple news item in the Valley Falls New Era, Jan. 31, 1891, stated:
"There are more horses and mules bought and sold at Fon Cook's Stable in Valley Falls than any other place in the county."
Ironically, the same news source, Saturday, Oct. 8, 1892, reported:
"Last Tuesday night, about 8 o'clock, the alarm of fire was sounded. Cook's Livery Stable was burning. Before the alarm was given, the fire had advanced so far that nothing could be done to save the barn, nor contents.
"The loft was full of hay and everything was so dry that the flames licked up the building as if it were shavings. The fire company worked manfully on adjoining buildings and saved the Hillyer House block. Had it not been for our water works and fire company, the business part of this town would have been a heap of smoldering ashes.
"Mr. Cook's loss is considerable, having 19 horses burned. Origin of the fire is unknown."
Nov. 24, 1894, from the New Era:
"Swallow's Drug Store and Nutting's Building's Ruined.
"Last Saturday morning about 2 o'clock, our city was again visited by a disastrous fire that for a time threatened the complete destruction of all the business houses on the north side of Broadway, west of Sycamore, and it was only by the hardest kind of work and efficiency of our excellent water works system that the Masonic Building was saved and the fire confined to Legler's and Nutting's brick building. No reason can be assigned the fire's origin. It was supposed to be spontaneous combustion.
"It started near the prescription case. The entire stock of drugs, recently invoiced over $3,700, is a complete ruin. The Dr. was on a deal to sell the store and would have had it sold in 10 more days. The stock was insured for $2,700."
Another fire — Valley Falls New Era, Jan. 5, 1895:
"Our city has again been visited by a disastrous conflagration, and inside of two hours our business houses completely gutted by fire and water. About 10:15 Wednesday night, a dense volume of smoke was seen coming out of the stairway between Paxton and Paxton's Store and Mrs. A. Murray's Millinery Store. Joe Ireland and Ed Burkert room upstairs and were nearly suffocated by the smoke. Mrs. Murray has a dressmaking room upstairs and lives there. Dr. Gillman's Dental Office is upstairs over Mrs. Murray's store and R.K. McCarney has his real estate and insurance over the Paxton's Store.
"There are various rumors how the fire started. Night watchman Gray gave the alarm and the city hall fire gong was rung but was not loud enough to awaken many. The hose cart was quickly pulled to the fire scene and some hands were found to man the hose. Two streams of water were turned on the burning stock of goods.
"The building is brick and the fire was confined inside. Mrs. A. Murray had a $3,400 stock of millinery goods, which were a total loss, no insurance; Dr. Gillman's dental tools and office fixtures ruined, no insurance; Mr. McCarney's office was ruined, he had insurance.
"Praise to those who fought the flames and kept them from spreading and for the best water works system in the state."
Valley Falls New Era, Saturday, Nov. 9, 1895:
"Burned out. A disastrous blaze. Our city was again visited by a disastrous fire, the third to occur within the space of less than one year, and had it not been for our excellent water services and gallant fire department, the north side of Broadway would now be in ruins. Nine o'clock Sunday night, George Winfield, who worked in 'Dad' Harmon's Livery Stable, discovered fire in one of the empty stalls in the stable. There was a strong smell of coal oil, and there is no doubt that the stable was set on fire.
"He (Winfield) gave the alarm and started to get the horses out. He succeeded in cutting a number of the animals loose and leading them to the door, but they would break loose from him and run back in. He saved a mare belonging to him and two head belonging to Mr. Harmon. Eighteen head, six Mr. Harmon's, perished in the flames. Dr. Marks lost his driving team, buggy, and grip full of instruments. Dr. England lost his team and phaeton (light, four-wheeled carriage), John Beeson lost a team and the organman had a team of horses and mules burn.
"The fire spread rapidly owing to high winds from the south. The skating rink, belonging to David Nutting, was a complete loss and he lost two pool and one billiard table and about 50 pair of roller skates. A building between the livery stable and Swiler's Drug Store, occupied by John Beeson for a poultry house, contained about a ton of poultry destroyed by the fire.
"Praise to the fire department boys under the leadership of Capt. DeLorm for the work they did fighting the flames."
October 28, 2014
Ice, bricks, beer drinking, a drowning and more
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Thumbing through the files of the Valley Falls Historical Society reveals a sundry of items through early years, including daily events, seasonal activities, tragedies, and celebrations.
According to local news items, The Kansas New Era, May 7, 1874:
"Our streets are daily lined with the white-sheeted wagons of the immigrants seeking a home in Kansas.
"The first installment of ice was delivered last week among our businessmen gratuitously by Sam Sawyer of the firm of Sawyer and Mitchell. These gentlemen have a large amount of ice for summer's use, and they will expect and should receive a large share of the patronage of the city."
The Valley Falls New Era, June 10, 1886:
"They have about 100,000 bricks in the kiln at Patrick's Brickyard. They will 'touch it off' as soon as they get 50,000 more in. They now give promise of being a very excellent quality of brick.
"There is said to be gambling and beer drinking going on somewhere in the upper part of the building on the northeast corner of Broadway and Maple streets. It is expected that the marshal will ferret the 'hole' out and plug it."
The Valley Falls New Era, Dec. 13, 1890:
"Drowned. Last Wednesday evening about 5:30 o'clock, the terrible news was on everyone's lips that three little boys had broken through the ice on the Delaware River at the foot of Oak Street and were drowned. Little Fred and Leslie Case and their little stepbrother, Floyd Archer, were the victims of the sad accident.
"Their ages, respectively, were 16, 11, and 8 years. After school they had wandered down to the river and ventured to slide on the ice. Fred and Floyd went through the ice but 11-year-old Leslie tried to hold on to the edge of the ice until help had arrived, but slid into the cold water and drowned with the other two before help could be extended to him."
The Valley Falls New Era, July 2, 1892:
"The steamer 'Delaware' will carry passengers to and from the company's grounds on the Fourth of July, and thus give all a chance to enjoy a day free from all the bustle and heat in the city. Amusements of all descriptions. Round trip 25 cents."
New Era, July 9, 1892:
"The Fourth of July was as pleasant a day here as ever Italy enjoyed and though there was no general celebration, a tip top time was realized by our people in picnicking in the various handsome groves adjacent to the city. About 450 people availed themselves of a steamboat ride up the Delaware to a picnic ground prepared by the 'Delaware Navigating Co.' "
The Valley Falls Historical Society will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1.
Thumbing through the files of the Valley Falls Historical Society reveals a sundry of items through early years, including daily events, seasonal activities, tragedies, and celebrations.
According to local news items, The Kansas New Era, May 7, 1874:
"Our streets are daily lined with the white-sheeted wagons of the immigrants seeking a home in Kansas.
"The first installment of ice was delivered last week among our businessmen gratuitously by Sam Sawyer of the firm of Sawyer and Mitchell. These gentlemen have a large amount of ice for summer's use, and they will expect and should receive a large share of the patronage of the city."
The Valley Falls New Era, June 10, 1886:
"They have about 100,000 bricks in the kiln at Patrick's Brickyard. They will 'touch it off' as soon as they get 50,000 more in. They now give promise of being a very excellent quality of brick.
"There is said to be gambling and beer drinking going on somewhere in the upper part of the building on the northeast corner of Broadway and Maple streets. It is expected that the marshal will ferret the 'hole' out and plug it."
The Valley Falls New Era, Dec. 13, 1890:
"Drowned. Last Wednesday evening about 5:30 o'clock, the terrible news was on everyone's lips that three little boys had broken through the ice on the Delaware River at the foot of Oak Street and were drowned. Little Fred and Leslie Case and their little stepbrother, Floyd Archer, were the victims of the sad accident.
"Their ages, respectively, were 16, 11, and 8 years. After school they had wandered down to the river and ventured to slide on the ice. Fred and Floyd went through the ice but 11-year-old Leslie tried to hold on to the edge of the ice until help had arrived, but slid into the cold water and drowned with the other two before help could be extended to him."
The Valley Falls New Era, July 2, 1892:
"The steamer 'Delaware' will carry passengers to and from the company's grounds on the Fourth of July, and thus give all a chance to enjoy a day free from all the bustle and heat in the city. Amusements of all descriptions. Round trip 25 cents."
New Era, July 9, 1892:
"The Fourth of July was as pleasant a day here as ever Italy enjoyed and though there was no general celebration, a tip top time was realized by our people in picnicking in the various handsome groves adjacent to the city. About 450 people availed themselves of a steamboat ride up the Delaware to a picnic ground prepared by the 'Delaware Navigating Co.' "
The Valley Falls Historical Society will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1.
October 21, 2014
All Hallows' Eve depicted in museum windows
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Purple owls with black wings and black owls with purple wings sporting twinkling orange-lighted eyes hanging from a black spider web against an orange curtain provide the background for the Hallowe'en display at the seasonal window of the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum. Black cats from a one-eyed, single on-looker to a trio of happy felines, jack-o'-lanterns, and noisemakers complete the festive scene. A proud, wise old owl guards the All Hallows' Eve scene.
The Veterans' window features the following tribute to all veterans, past and present, "For every moment of peace, liberty and greatness our country enjoys, we have someone who has worn a uniform to thank."
Military service uniform caps surround the tribute with a Liberty portrait overlooking the scene.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25.
Purple owls with black wings and black owls with purple wings sporting twinkling orange-lighted eyes hanging from a black spider web against an orange curtain provide the background for the Hallowe'en display at the seasonal window of the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum. Black cats from a one-eyed, single on-looker to a trio of happy felines, jack-o'-lanterns, and noisemakers complete the festive scene. A proud, wise old owl guards the All Hallows' Eve scene.
The Veterans' window features the following tribute to all veterans, past and present, "For every moment of peace, liberty and greatness our country enjoys, we have someone who has worn a uniform to thank."
Military service uniform caps surround the tribute with a Liberty portrait overlooking the scene.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25.
October 14, 2014
Notes from the 47th annual meeting
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
The 47th annual meeting of the Valley Falls Historical Society was held Oct. 5 at the Barn Bed and Breakfast Inn.
After the 1 p.m. buffet luncheon and prior to the program, an election of officers and directors was held with the following selected to serve in the 2014-2015 year: Betty Jane Wilson, president; Rosalind Jackson, vice president; Lesa Brose, secretary; Gary Coleman, treasurer; and Joan Reichart (term 2015) and Anita Stutesman (term 2016), directors. Frank Shrimplin continues as historian and Clarke Davis as advisor.
Guest speaker Jane Rhoads was provided courtesy of the Kansas Humanities Council. The council conducts and supports community- based programs, such as the historical society, through an active grant program that pays her expenses, gratuities, and travel expenses.
Her presentation, "Bronco Bustin' Showmen and Their Spectacular Wild West Shows," resulted from her research, love of entertainment, and Kansas history.
With the assist of digital screen and projector, she presented an enviable selection of photos of the performers in various stages of their lives prior to and during their careers. Still scenes were shown from "Buffalo Bill Cody's Spectacular Show" with added tales of association with notables as famous sharpshooter Annie Oakley and Cody's influence on later known western screen star Tom Mix. Cody's fame as wagon master, buffalo hunter, and child messenger for his father, Isaac Cody, and their relation to Valley Falls were included. Pawnee Bill, Lucille Mulhall, and Will Rogers and their entertainment careers all enjoyed their claim to fame in her specialty.
Jane Rhoads is also the author and winner of a Kansas Notable Book Award in 2009. Born of her love for prairie entertainment and her visit to over 400 Kansas communities she authored "Kansas Opera Houses — Actors and Community Events 1855-1925." Composed of countless photos, stories included performers whose careers began on small Kansas stages. The outstanding feature of her book is an alphabetical listing of 479 Kansas communities with information about their entertainment centers. Among our neighbors listed are McLouth, Oskaloosa, and Meriden with Nortonville having the 1884 McCarthy's Opera House and an 1908 City Hall-Roxie House still standing. The Valley Falls 1884 Turner Opera House (Turner Hall), Valley Falls is on record with a stage 16 feet by 40 feet with seating for 600. The facility was heated by stoves and illumined by lamps.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18.
The 47th annual meeting of the Valley Falls Historical Society was held Oct. 5 at the Barn Bed and Breakfast Inn.
After the 1 p.m. buffet luncheon and prior to the program, an election of officers and directors was held with the following selected to serve in the 2014-2015 year: Betty Jane Wilson, president; Rosalind Jackson, vice president; Lesa Brose, secretary; Gary Coleman, treasurer; and Joan Reichart (term 2015) and Anita Stutesman (term 2016), directors. Frank Shrimplin continues as historian and Clarke Davis as advisor.
Guest speaker Jane Rhoads was provided courtesy of the Kansas Humanities Council. The council conducts and supports community- based programs, such as the historical society, through an active grant program that pays her expenses, gratuities, and travel expenses.
Her presentation, "Bronco Bustin' Showmen and Their Spectacular Wild West Shows," resulted from her research, love of entertainment, and Kansas history.
With the assist of digital screen and projector, she presented an enviable selection of photos of the performers in various stages of their lives prior to and during their careers. Still scenes were shown from "Buffalo Bill Cody's Spectacular Show" with added tales of association with notables as famous sharpshooter Annie Oakley and Cody's influence on later known western screen star Tom Mix. Cody's fame as wagon master, buffalo hunter, and child messenger for his father, Isaac Cody, and their relation to Valley Falls were included. Pawnee Bill, Lucille Mulhall, and Will Rogers and their entertainment careers all enjoyed their claim to fame in her specialty.
Jane Rhoads is also the author and winner of a Kansas Notable Book Award in 2009. Born of her love for prairie entertainment and her visit to over 400 Kansas communities she authored "Kansas Opera Houses — Actors and Community Events 1855-1925." Composed of countless photos, stories included performers whose careers began on small Kansas stages. The outstanding feature of her book is an alphabetical listing of 479 Kansas communities with information about their entertainment centers. Among our neighbors listed are McLouth, Oskaloosa, and Meriden with Nortonville having the 1884 McCarthy's Opera House and an 1908 City Hall-Roxie House still standing. The Valley Falls 1884 Turner Opera House (Turner Hall), Valley Falls is on record with a stage 16 feet by 40 feet with seating for 600. The facility was heated by stoves and illumined by lamps.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18.
October 02, 2014
Harman-Stockwell part 2: "Community rid of a bad character"
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
The New Era, Saturday, May 12, 1894, reported a preliminary trial for city marshal Allen Stockwell was set for Monday, May 14, before Justice Beland.
The New Era, May 14:
"Monday, the case was called before Justice Beland and Mr. Stockwell's attorney, Messrs. W.F. Gilluly, G.W. McCammon and P.J. Hamble waived preliminary examination and asked that the defendent be bound over to the District Court for trial. Acting County Attorney M. Gephart, at the request of the prosecuting witness, Colfax Harman, dismissed the case and paid the costs. No further action has been taken, and whether the Harmans will have Mr. Stockwell re-arrested is not known. Perhaps they have found how the public sentiment is and have wisely decided to drop the matter.
"The coroner's jury was composed of our best citizens and men who treated both sides fairly. Their verdict was in accordance with the evidence and our people are well satisfied."
THE OTHER SIDE:
"Thursday afternoon (May 17) we received a call from N.H. Harman, father of Fora Harman, to the editor of the New Era. He took exception to the article we published last week in regard to his son's death. The New Era aims to publish the truth and will not knowingly publish any false statements. We wrote the article as we thought the facts warranted and did not try to publish a prejudiced account of the unfortunate affair. We aimed to give all parties justice in our article and certainly did not intend to make any false or misleading statements.
"Mr. Harman said our statement that his son was a 'dangerous character' was false, and instead of saying 'a bad career ended,' we should have said an 'indiscreet,' not bad career ended. He said that the statement that Fora had threatened the marshal's life a number of times was false, and that the evidence did not show that Harman had threatened to kill Stockwell. He said the time Stockwell shot at two other parties, giving an excuse that he thought he was shooting at Harman, Fora did say that he had better go prepared for Stockwell, that was all he ever threatened, and that was after he heard Stockwell had done the shooting, thinking he was the man. He also said that the statement that Harman made towards the marshal after he had been ordered to leave the jail window was false, because Harman had no time but to run away and was shot in the back side. He also said that 'Durham and wife saw Stockwell sneak up to Harman and giving him no warning, fired. Harman did not start toward Stockwell.'
"It is but natural that Mr. Harman should take the part of his dead son, and no doubt objects to the way in which the death was caused, but now that it is all over, he should not try to stir up any more strife in the community. We publish his side of the case because we want to be fair and not prejudiced. We believe, however, that the verdict of the coroner's jury was a just one and that the community is now rid of a bad character."
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4.
The New Era, Saturday, May 12, 1894, reported a preliminary trial for city marshal Allen Stockwell was set for Monday, May 14, before Justice Beland.
The New Era, May 14:
"Monday, the case was called before Justice Beland and Mr. Stockwell's attorney, Messrs. W.F. Gilluly, G.W. McCammon and P.J. Hamble waived preliminary examination and asked that the defendent be bound over to the District Court for trial. Acting County Attorney M. Gephart, at the request of the prosecuting witness, Colfax Harman, dismissed the case and paid the costs. No further action has been taken, and whether the Harmans will have Mr. Stockwell re-arrested is not known. Perhaps they have found how the public sentiment is and have wisely decided to drop the matter.
"The coroner's jury was composed of our best citizens and men who treated both sides fairly. Their verdict was in accordance with the evidence and our people are well satisfied."
THE OTHER SIDE:
"Thursday afternoon (May 17) we received a call from N.H. Harman, father of Fora Harman, to the editor of the New Era. He took exception to the article we published last week in regard to his son's death. The New Era aims to publish the truth and will not knowingly publish any false statements. We wrote the article as we thought the facts warranted and did not try to publish a prejudiced account of the unfortunate affair. We aimed to give all parties justice in our article and certainly did not intend to make any false or misleading statements.
"Mr. Harman said our statement that his son was a 'dangerous character' was false, and instead of saying 'a bad career ended,' we should have said an 'indiscreet,' not bad career ended. He said that the statement that Fora had threatened the marshal's life a number of times was false, and that the evidence did not show that Harman had threatened to kill Stockwell. He said the time Stockwell shot at two other parties, giving an excuse that he thought he was shooting at Harman, Fora did say that he had better go prepared for Stockwell, that was all he ever threatened, and that was after he heard Stockwell had done the shooting, thinking he was the man. He also said that the statement that Harman made towards the marshal after he had been ordered to leave the jail window was false, because Harman had no time but to run away and was shot in the back side. He also said that 'Durham and wife saw Stockwell sneak up to Harman and giving him no warning, fired. Harman did not start toward Stockwell.'
"It is but natural that Mr. Harman should take the part of his dead son, and no doubt objects to the way in which the death was caused, but now that it is all over, he should not try to stir up any more strife in the community. We publish his side of the case because we want to be fair and not prejudiced. We believe, however, that the verdict of the coroner's jury was a just one and that the community is now rid of a bad character."
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4.
September 18, 2014
1894: Shooting death of C. F. Harman by Marshall Stockwell, part 1
(From the New Era files of 1894)
by Betty Jane Wilson
A series of conflagrations, tragedies, shootings, denominational destruction enhanced by denominational joys and miracles dominated by the early 1890s news items reported by the Valley Falls New Era, predecessor of the Valley Falls Vindicator.
The May 5, 1894, headlines:
"C.F. HARMAN SHOT AND INSTANTLY KILLED BY CITY MARSHAL ALLEN STOCKWELL," followed by:
"The quiet of our city was broken Thursday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. by the loud report of four pistol shots fired in rapid succession. The shooting occurred at the city hall and jail. At the crossing to the alley back of Gephart's Bank lay Fora Harman and over him stood city Marshal Stockwell. The long feud was over and death had ended it. The body was carried to city hall to await the coroner who had been telegraphed at city hall.
"Sheriff Weatherford happened to be in the city at the time and the Marshal surrendered to him at once. The wife, mother, and brothers were notified of the victim's death. The father, somewhere in the southern part of the county, could not be found.
"Fora has been the black sheep of the flock and has caused the family untold agony and thousands of dollars by his wayward ways. He was to have a new trial at the next term of court for grand larceny. Marshal Stockwell was the principal witness and unless he could get him out of the way, he was sure to be convicted. He had, on a number of occasions, threatened the marshal's life. The two were bitter enemies.
"The immediate cause that led to the shooting as far as we can learn was that Harman was at the window talking to Frank Wright in the city jail. Wright was in the jail on a disorderly conduct charge. Stockwell had warned Harman to stay away from the jail. As he went down the alley, he saw Harman at the window and ordered him to leave. Harman made some remark and started toward the marshal. The marshal opened fire. He fired four shots.
"A post mortem examination revealed that only one bullet going through the pulmonary artery caused death.
"The coroner and acting county attorney swore in the jurymen and the following day the coroner conducted the inquest. A number of witnesses were examined. Testimony showed that Harman had repeatedly threatened to kill Marshal Stockwell. But the marshal had never threatened Harman. No one saw Harman and Stockwell before the shooting, but several saw it after the first shot was fired. Harman was then running west and fell on the sidewalk leading south past the Gephart's Bank. The sentiment seems to be all in Stockwell's favor and it is thought he was justified in defending himself.
"Of course the coroner's jury will decide according to the evidence given."
May 12, 1894, the Valley Falls New Era reported:
"EXONERATED. MARSHAL STOCKWELL JUSTIFIED IN SHOOTING FORA HARMAN."
"The coroner's jury examined about 30 witnesses out of whom only four testified they had not heard Fora Harman make threats against Marshal Stockwell. No one testified they had seen Stockwell and Harman at the city jail. Just before the shooting occurred, Mr and Mrs. Durham saw Mr. Harman in the window and saw him run after the first shot was fired.
"The jury rendered the following verdict: 'We, the jury, find that C.F. Harman came to his death on the third day of May 1894, on or about 10 o'clock p.m. in the City of Valley Falls, Kansas, by a pistol shot fired by the hand of Allen Stockwell, city marshal, and that the killing was justifiable and lawful. — E.M. Hutchins, foreman, H.M. Doolittle, D.P. Paxton, H.D. Butts, J. A. Evans, and G.W. Elson, jurymen.'
"Immediately after the verdict, Mr. Stockwell was arrested upon complaint of Colfax Harman, brother of the deceased, and his preliminary trial was set for the following Monday before Justice Beland. His bond was set at $1,000 and was signed by all three of our bankers."
Next, The Case and the Other Side.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20.
by Betty Jane Wilson
A series of conflagrations, tragedies, shootings, denominational destruction enhanced by denominational joys and miracles dominated by the early 1890s news items reported by the Valley Falls New Era, predecessor of the Valley Falls Vindicator.
The May 5, 1894, headlines:
"C.F. HARMAN SHOT AND INSTANTLY KILLED BY CITY MARSHAL ALLEN STOCKWELL," followed by:
"The quiet of our city was broken Thursday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. by the loud report of four pistol shots fired in rapid succession. The shooting occurred at the city hall and jail. At the crossing to the alley back of Gephart's Bank lay Fora Harman and over him stood city Marshal Stockwell. The long feud was over and death had ended it. The body was carried to city hall to await the coroner who had been telegraphed at city hall.
"Sheriff Weatherford happened to be in the city at the time and the Marshal surrendered to him at once. The wife, mother, and brothers were notified of the victim's death. The father, somewhere in the southern part of the county, could not be found.
"Fora has been the black sheep of the flock and has caused the family untold agony and thousands of dollars by his wayward ways. He was to have a new trial at the next term of court for grand larceny. Marshal Stockwell was the principal witness and unless he could get him out of the way, he was sure to be convicted. He had, on a number of occasions, threatened the marshal's life. The two were bitter enemies.
"The immediate cause that led to the shooting as far as we can learn was that Harman was at the window talking to Frank Wright in the city jail. Wright was in the jail on a disorderly conduct charge. Stockwell had warned Harman to stay away from the jail. As he went down the alley, he saw Harman at the window and ordered him to leave. Harman made some remark and started toward the marshal. The marshal opened fire. He fired four shots.
"A post mortem examination revealed that only one bullet going through the pulmonary artery caused death.
"The coroner and acting county attorney swore in the jurymen and the following day the coroner conducted the inquest. A number of witnesses were examined. Testimony showed that Harman had repeatedly threatened to kill Marshal Stockwell. But the marshal had never threatened Harman. No one saw Harman and Stockwell before the shooting, but several saw it after the first shot was fired. Harman was then running west and fell on the sidewalk leading south past the Gephart's Bank. The sentiment seems to be all in Stockwell's favor and it is thought he was justified in defending himself.
"Of course the coroner's jury will decide according to the evidence given."
May 12, 1894, the Valley Falls New Era reported:
"EXONERATED. MARSHAL STOCKWELL JUSTIFIED IN SHOOTING FORA HARMAN."
"The coroner's jury examined about 30 witnesses out of whom only four testified they had not heard Fora Harman make threats against Marshal Stockwell. No one testified they had seen Stockwell and Harman at the city jail. Just before the shooting occurred, Mr and Mrs. Durham saw Mr. Harman in the window and saw him run after the first shot was fired.
"The jury rendered the following verdict: 'We, the jury, find that C.F. Harman came to his death on the third day of May 1894, on or about 10 o'clock p.m. in the City of Valley Falls, Kansas, by a pistol shot fired by the hand of Allen Stockwell, city marshal, and that the killing was justifiable and lawful. — E.M. Hutchins, foreman, H.M. Doolittle, D.P. Paxton, H.D. Butts, J. A. Evans, and G.W. Elson, jurymen.'
"Immediately after the verdict, Mr. Stockwell was arrested upon complaint of Colfax Harman, brother of the deceased, and his preliminary trial was set for the following Monday before Justice Beland. His bond was set at $1,000 and was signed by all three of our bankers."
Next, The Case and the Other Side.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20.
September 02, 2014
September displays in the museum windows
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
The Valley Falls Historical Society museum window scene for September features sports equipment indicative of past years and obvious usage.
Basketball, football, softball, baseball, etc., all borrowed from the society museum showcases, dominate the display with a variety of trophies — for reminders of Valley Falls' sports winnings and academic accomplishments.
A gold background curtain, centered, with a mega black mesh wreath, embellished with tiny basketballs and footballs and large gold V and F letters identify the school — all designed to welcome all Valley Falls students to the 2014-15 school year.
The veterans window for August honored the memory of the World War II defeat of the Japanese with newspapers dated Aug. 14, 1945, with blazing headlines declaring VJ Day.
The September window display also includes memories of 9/11/2001 when the nation and the world were shocked when the New York World Trade Center and the nation's Capitol and surrounding areas were attacked by terrorists and the resulting death and destruction.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6.
The Valley Falls Historical Society museum window scene for September features sports equipment indicative of past years and obvious usage.
Basketball, football, softball, baseball, etc., all borrowed from the society museum showcases, dominate the display with a variety of trophies — for reminders of Valley Falls' sports winnings and academic accomplishments.
A gold background curtain, centered, with a mega black mesh wreath, embellished with tiny basketballs and footballs and large gold V and F letters identify the school — all designed to welcome all Valley Falls students to the 2014-15 school year.
The veterans window for August honored the memory of the World War II defeat of the Japanese with newspapers dated Aug. 14, 1945, with blazing headlines declaring VJ Day.
The September window display also includes memories of 9/11/2001 when the nation and the world were shocked when the New York World Trade Center and the nation's Capitol and surrounding areas were attacked by terrorists and the resulting death and destruction.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6.
August 19, 2014
Why Sautrelle?
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
"Why Sautrelle?" — Valley Falls, Kan., survivor of three names of which Sautrelle, (French for Grasshopper) was name number two given by the legislature in 1863.
Adoption of the name evoked sundry reactions from citizens and outsiders, especially when the nickname "Sowtail" was substituted for Sautrelle. The name was not acceptable to the citizens so the legislature restored the old name, "Grasshopper Falls" in 1864.
Still the inquiry "Why Sautrelle?"
The subject of the name change, revived in 1874, and an assortment of names were suggested. According to the Kansas Historical Quarterly, ironically, the worst invasion of grasshoppers came the summer of 1874, and the residents of the town, eager to eliminate the name Grasshopper, met with the legislature and in 1875, the bill was passed changing the name to Valley Falls, with no answer to the "Why Sautrelle?" inquiry.
The October 1990, Yesteryear, Jefferson County Genealogical publication, included newspaper quotes dated March 17 and March 31, 1883, respectively, taken from the Annals of Oskaloosa and compiled by Mr. Frank R. Roberts, 1945.
March 17, "R. A. Van Winkle of Arrington reports a conversation he held prior to 1854 with Jos. Robidoux, founder of St. Joseph, Mo., regarding the Delaware or Grasshopper River.
"About the year 1818, Robidoux and others, hauled some merchandise from the Missouri River westward to the bank of this small stream where they traded it to the Indians. While there the party encountered an infestation of grasshoppers, which in two or three days, ate all the grass in the vicinity and later most of the grass in Kansas. From the circumstance, Robidoux and his party named the stream 'Sautrelle' (French for grasshopper).
March 31, "Jas. H. Jones, Grantville, adds a chapter about the first naming of the Delaware River. In 1827, a government surveyor recorded in his field notes the name of the river as Sautrelle or Necushcontabe, the later presumed to be an Indian term, meaning unknown."
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23.
"Why Sautrelle?" — Valley Falls, Kan., survivor of three names of which Sautrelle, (French for Grasshopper) was name number two given by the legislature in 1863.
Adoption of the name evoked sundry reactions from citizens and outsiders, especially when the nickname "Sowtail" was substituted for Sautrelle. The name was not acceptable to the citizens so the legislature restored the old name, "Grasshopper Falls" in 1864.
Still the inquiry "Why Sautrelle?"
The subject of the name change, revived in 1874, and an assortment of names were suggested. According to the Kansas Historical Quarterly, ironically, the worst invasion of grasshoppers came the summer of 1874, and the residents of the town, eager to eliminate the name Grasshopper, met with the legislature and in 1875, the bill was passed changing the name to Valley Falls, with no answer to the "Why Sautrelle?" inquiry.
The October 1990, Yesteryear, Jefferson County Genealogical publication, included newspaper quotes dated March 17 and March 31, 1883, respectively, taken from the Annals of Oskaloosa and compiled by Mr. Frank R. Roberts, 1945.
March 17, "R. A. Van Winkle of Arrington reports a conversation he held prior to 1854 with Jos. Robidoux, founder of St. Joseph, Mo., regarding the Delaware or Grasshopper River.
"About the year 1818, Robidoux and others, hauled some merchandise from the Missouri River westward to the bank of this small stream where they traded it to the Indians. While there the party encountered an infestation of grasshoppers, which in two or three days, ate all the grass in the vicinity and later most of the grass in Kansas. From the circumstance, Robidoux and his party named the stream 'Sautrelle' (French for grasshopper).
March 31, "Jas. H. Jones, Grantville, adds a chapter about the first naming of the Delaware River. In 1827, a government surveyor recorded in his field notes the name of the river as Sautrelle or Necushcontabe, the later presumed to be an Indian term, meaning unknown."
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23.
August 18, 2014
Celebrates 100th birthday: Anna Christina Goodrich, 1928
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
"Anna Christina, daughter of Henry and Emily Butler, was born in Granville, Ohio, Dec. 16, 1828. Her parents were members of a colony that moved from Granville, Mass., and established the new town in 1805.
"There were five children in the family, all except Anna dying in infancy or early childhood and Anna was a delicate child. There was little hope that she would even survive to womanhood. It was during the first year of her birth that the first iron rail was laid for the first railroad in American. The stage coaches and canal boats were the only means of public transportation in the states and slow-going sailing vessels were the only method of communication with 'the old world' — taking weeks and often months to cross the Atlantic. Would anyone at that time have been so credulous as to believe that the little girl would live to see the day when not only would there be a network of railroads with palaces on wheels, steamships plowing the seas on a regular schedule, but that men would fly not only from place to place on the continent, but across the seas, and that communication by telegram, telephone, and radio would become instantaneous all over the entire world?"
A story taken from the Topeka Capital, Dec. 23, 1928, expressed these words of awe and respect in the following story titled "Girl Doomed to Early Death Lives to Be 100."
"Valley Falls, Kan. Dec. 22, 1928, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. A.D. Kendall, and surrounded by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a host of neighbors and friends of years, Mrs. George Goodrich celebrated her centennial birthday last Sunday.
"A lover of the outdoors and her father an expert horseman, she became an expert horsewoman to which she attributed much of the credit for her health and long life.
"She was eight years old when the first telegraph communication was perfected by Samuel Morse and 37 when the first cable was laid across the Atlantic. She was 15 when the first postage stamp was used. Prior to that time, postage was paid in cash by the recipient of the letter and based on the mileage. The miracle of electricity had not been discovered, an open fireplace, 'grease dips,' or candles made of tallow, were sources for light.
"John Quincy Adams was the president and the United States was still struggling in a effort to become a world leader. No one would have imagined that those states would take the commanding lead of the entire world in education, invention, trade, arms, finance, and luxury, yet all of these 'Mother Goodrich' has seen come to pass.
"She was educated in the Episcopalian female college of Granville and taught school for a number of years, so efficient in instruction that many children from the surrounding districts came to her school rather than attend their own.
"She married George Goodrich in Granville June 22, 1853, and as was the custom of that day, visited Niagara Falls, without which trip no wedding was deemed complete. On Oct. 17, 1878, the family moved to Valley Falls and located in the house built for them by Mark Hillyer, now (1928) the parish residence of the Catholic congregation. Here they lived until the new home was built on Broadway. Mr. Goodrich died Dec. 18, 1910, since which time she has lived with her daughters, Alma and Lida. Her family has always been her world. She attributes her long life largely to regular exercise, moderation in eating, the ability never to worry, and the use of cistern water. In other words, 'to work and love and service.'
"Those of the immediate relatives present Sunday were: Harry S. Goodrich, Brentwood, Calif., Mrs. May Allen, Spokane, Wash., Mrs. Kate S. Kendall, and Misses Alma and Lida Goodrich, Valley Falls, son and daughters; Mrs. W.A. Turnbull, Los Angeles, Calif., Mrs. Henry Starr, Tulare, Calif., Mrs. W.M.B. Lord, Sanford, Maine, Mrs. Gordon A. Bergu, Morgantown, W. Va., Mrs. Lida Ferguson, and Mrs. Ina Leglar, granddaughters; Miss Constance Lord, Sanford, Maine, Master Gordon Goodrich Bergu, Morgantown, W. Va., and Miss Ina Bumgardner, Lawrence, great-grandchildren; and a host of old friends." — Source: Yesteryears, April 1990.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16.
Clarke Davis
Davis Publications, Inc.
The Oskaloosa Independent
The Valley Falls Vindicator
785-945-3257
Fax: 785-945-3444
"Anna Christina, daughter of Henry and Emily Butler, was born in Granville, Ohio, Dec. 16, 1828. Her parents were members of a colony that moved from Granville, Mass., and established the new town in 1805.
"There were five children in the family, all except Anna dying in infancy or early childhood and Anna was a delicate child. There was little hope that she would even survive to womanhood. It was during the first year of her birth that the first iron rail was laid for the first railroad in American. The stage coaches and canal boats were the only means of public transportation in the states and slow-going sailing vessels were the only method of communication with 'the old world' — taking weeks and often months to cross the Atlantic. Would anyone at that time have been so credulous as to believe that the little girl would live to see the day when not only would there be a network of railroads with palaces on wheels, steamships plowing the seas on a regular schedule, but that men would fly not only from place to place on the continent, but across the seas, and that communication by telegram, telephone, and radio would become instantaneous all over the entire world?"
A story taken from the Topeka Capital, Dec. 23, 1928, expressed these words of awe and respect in the following story titled "Girl Doomed to Early Death Lives to Be 100."
"Valley Falls, Kan. Dec. 22, 1928, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. A.D. Kendall, and surrounded by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a host of neighbors and friends of years, Mrs. George Goodrich celebrated her centennial birthday last Sunday.
"A lover of the outdoors and her father an expert horseman, she became an expert horsewoman to which she attributed much of the credit for her health and long life.
"She was eight years old when the first telegraph communication was perfected by Samuel Morse and 37 when the first cable was laid across the Atlantic. She was 15 when the first postage stamp was used. Prior to that time, postage was paid in cash by the recipient of the letter and based on the mileage. The miracle of electricity had not been discovered, an open fireplace, 'grease dips,' or candles made of tallow, were sources for light.
"John Quincy Adams was the president and the United States was still struggling in a effort to become a world leader. No one would have imagined that those states would take the commanding lead of the entire world in education, invention, trade, arms, finance, and luxury, yet all of these 'Mother Goodrich' has seen come to pass.
"She was educated in the Episcopalian female college of Granville and taught school for a number of years, so efficient in instruction that many children from the surrounding districts came to her school rather than attend their own.
"She married George Goodrich in Granville June 22, 1853, and as was the custom of that day, visited Niagara Falls, without which trip no wedding was deemed complete. On Oct. 17, 1878, the family moved to Valley Falls and located in the house built for them by Mark Hillyer, now (1928) the parish residence of the Catholic congregation. Here they lived until the new home was built on Broadway. Mr. Goodrich died Dec. 18, 1910, since which time she has lived with her daughters, Alma and Lida. Her family has always been her world. She attributes her long life largely to regular exercise, moderation in eating, the ability never to worry, and the use of cistern water. In other words, 'to work and love and service.'
"Those of the immediate relatives present Sunday were: Harry S. Goodrich, Brentwood, Calif., Mrs. May Allen, Spokane, Wash., Mrs. Kate S. Kendall, and Misses Alma and Lida Goodrich, Valley Falls, son and daughters; Mrs. W.A. Turnbull, Los Angeles, Calif., Mrs. Henry Starr, Tulare, Calif., Mrs. W.M.B. Lord, Sanford, Maine, Mrs. Gordon A. Bergu, Morgantown, W. Va., Mrs. Lida Ferguson, and Mrs. Ina Leglar, granddaughters; Miss Constance Lord, Sanford, Maine, Master Gordon Goodrich Bergu, Morgantown, W. Va., and Miss Ina Bumgardner, Lawrence, great-grandchildren; and a host of old friends." — Source: Yesteryears, April 1990.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16.
Clarke Davis
Davis Publications, Inc.
The Oskaloosa Independent
The Valley Falls Vindicator
785-945-3257
Fax: 785-945-3444
August 06, 2014
Window displays for August 2014
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum's seasonal window scene for August consists of scores of Jefferson County, Kan., automobile license plates with issue dates as early as 1939.
Displayed against a traditional 4-H exhibit mural backdrop, painted by local artist Susan Phillips, the license plates accompanied by a series of mega photos of Jefferson County and local citizens in their vehicles of past years, honor the antique cars and drivers participating in the 4-H parade. Welcome to the 12 4-H clubs, 325 members, and 124 adult leaders!
The veterans' window features the American Eagle, symbol of liberty. A colorful eagle symbol plaque, attached to a dark blue background and surrounded by miniature American flags, and military company service flags with select eagle figurines in the foreground, complete the August window display.
The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum's seasonal window scene for August consists of scores of Jefferson County, Kan., automobile license plates with issue dates as early as 1939.
Displayed against a traditional 4-H exhibit mural backdrop, painted by local artist Susan Phillips, the license plates accompanied by a series of mega photos of Jefferson County and local citizens in their vehicles of past years, honor the antique cars and drivers participating in the 4-H parade. Welcome to the 12 4-H clubs, 325 members, and 124 adult leaders!
The veterans' window features the American Eagle, symbol of liberty. A colorful eagle symbol plaque, attached to a dark blue background and surrounded by miniature American flags, and military company service flags with select eagle figurines in the foreground, complete the August window display.
The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9.
July 29, 2014
Some old county settlements, now extinct
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Pioneer news publications, ancestral letters, and reminiscenses of "old timers" frequently mention lesser known towns and settlements in Jefferson County, many extinct.
Following is a partial list of those places and approximate locations although some locations are possibly inaccurate because of Jefferson County boundry changes. Locations were determined from an 1860 map:
Anderson, located on the west side of Grasshopper River in 1855; Ashcroft, located in Norton Township; a farmer's post office known as Nichols Station; Boones Settlement located 2 1/2 miles southeast of Williamstown on the north bank of the Kansas River; Buck Creek, a station on the Kansas Pacific Railroad near where Buck Creek enters the Kaw.
Butler or Butlers, a townsite on the farm of Wm. Butler six miles east of Oskaloosa on the Military Road, see Middletown, Midway, and Ole; Centerville, the site of a town laid out in 1865 about midway between Perry and Medina; Clement, a post office which changed to Williamstown in 1865; Coon's Point, see Marshall, Crooked Creek, located five miles southeast of Nortonville; Crow Hollow, located about
three miles southwest of Boyle.
Dayton, another name for Pleasant Hill on the west side of Grasshopper River about one mile from Ozawkie; Defiance, received three (or eight) votes in the 1859 election for county seat of Jefferson County; Dixon, located nine miles southeast of Oskaloosa, a rural post office in 1883 and 1884; Fairfield, located in Jefferson Township, received 10 votes for county seat in 1858.
Hardtville or Hardville, near the Hickory Point battle site in Delaware Trust Lands, one of the first voting places in the county; Indian Mill, founded in 1854 by Solomon Everett, a Kaw half-breed, same site as Mormon Village and Thompsonville; Jacksonville, laid out in spring of 1855, about one mile east of Oskaloosa; Jacksonville, a new site laid out south of Ozawkie. It appears on maps several miles southeast of Ozawkie and southwest of Oskaloosa.
Jefferson City in Delaware Township (Grasshopper Falls). A post office from 1864 to about 1870; Kaw City, located in Kaw Township on the east side of Muddy Creek, post office established in 1858. The railroad missed the town and the post office moved to Grantville in 1866; Kaw Station, a railroad station at Grantville. Both names appear on several maps.
Marshall, the Topeka Tribune of Feb. 20, 1858, reports that an institution of higher learning in Jefferson County to be called Mt. Hope was to be opened in the spring at Marshall, which old timers remember as Coon's Point; McIntosh, a railroad station between McLouth and Oskaloosa; Medina, a station of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, a post office from 1866 to about 1902.
Middletown or Midway, a rural post office in 1857 on the same site as Butlers and Ole; Monroe City, incorporated on June 10, 1865, the present site of Perry; Mormon Village, located three miles northwest of Perry, settled by Mormons from 1851 to 1853 or '54. The site later of Indian Mills and Thompsonville.
Newell's Mill, now present Oskaloosa; Nichols Station, a side track and stopping place for AT&SF Railroad; Norton, shown on some maps as present site of Nortonville; Pleasant Hill, also called Dayton; Plum Creek, a post office from June 22, 1869, to Sept. 4, 1871, located seven miles north of Williamstown.
Savannah, the name first chosen for Winchester; Tebbsville or Tibbsdale, located two miles north of Ozawkie; Thompsonville, about three miles northwest of Perry, a post office from June 17, 1878 to May 1901, same site as Mormon Village and Indian Mills.
Source: Yesteryears, October 1980.
The historical society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2.
Pioneer news publications, ancestral letters, and reminiscenses of "old timers" frequently mention lesser known towns and settlements in Jefferson County, many extinct.
Following is a partial list of those places and approximate locations although some locations are possibly inaccurate because of Jefferson County boundry changes. Locations were determined from an 1860 map:
Anderson, located on the west side of Grasshopper River in 1855; Ashcroft, located in Norton Township; a farmer's post office known as Nichols Station; Boones Settlement located 2 1/2 miles southeast of Williamstown on the north bank of the Kansas River; Buck Creek, a station on the Kansas Pacific Railroad near where Buck Creek enters the Kaw.
Butler or Butlers, a townsite on the farm of Wm. Butler six miles east of Oskaloosa on the Military Road, see Middletown, Midway, and Ole; Centerville, the site of a town laid out in 1865 about midway between Perry and Medina; Clement, a post office which changed to Williamstown in 1865; Coon's Point, see Marshall, Crooked Creek, located five miles southeast of Nortonville; Crow Hollow, located about
three miles southwest of Boyle.
Dayton, another name for Pleasant Hill on the west side of Grasshopper River about one mile from Ozawkie; Defiance, received three (or eight) votes in the 1859 election for county seat of Jefferson County; Dixon, located nine miles southeast of Oskaloosa, a rural post office in 1883 and 1884; Fairfield, located in Jefferson Township, received 10 votes for county seat in 1858.
Hardtville or Hardville, near the Hickory Point battle site in Delaware Trust Lands, one of the first voting places in the county; Indian Mill, founded in 1854 by Solomon Everett, a Kaw half-breed, same site as Mormon Village and Thompsonville; Jacksonville, laid out in spring of 1855, about one mile east of Oskaloosa; Jacksonville, a new site laid out south of Ozawkie. It appears on maps several miles southeast of Ozawkie and southwest of Oskaloosa.
Jefferson City in Delaware Township (Grasshopper Falls). A post office from 1864 to about 1870; Kaw City, located in Kaw Township on the east side of Muddy Creek, post office established in 1858. The railroad missed the town and the post office moved to Grantville in 1866; Kaw Station, a railroad station at Grantville. Both names appear on several maps.
Marshall, the Topeka Tribune of Feb. 20, 1858, reports that an institution of higher learning in Jefferson County to be called Mt. Hope was to be opened in the spring at Marshall, which old timers remember as Coon's Point; McIntosh, a railroad station between McLouth and Oskaloosa; Medina, a station of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, a post office from 1866 to about 1902.
Middletown or Midway, a rural post office in 1857 on the same site as Butlers and Ole; Monroe City, incorporated on June 10, 1865, the present site of Perry; Mormon Village, located three miles northwest of Perry, settled by Mormons from 1851 to 1853 or '54. The site later of Indian Mills and Thompsonville.
Newell's Mill, now present Oskaloosa; Nichols Station, a side track and stopping place for AT&SF Railroad; Norton, shown on some maps as present site of Nortonville; Pleasant Hill, also called Dayton; Plum Creek, a post office from June 22, 1869, to Sept. 4, 1871, located seven miles north of Williamstown.
Savannah, the name first chosen for Winchester; Tebbsville or Tibbsdale, located two miles north of Ozawkie; Thompsonville, about three miles northwest of Perry, a post office from June 17, 1878 to May 1901, same site as Mormon Village and Indian Mills.
Source: Yesteryears, October 1980.
The historical society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2.
July 21, 2014
1931 in Valley Falls - businesses opening and expanding
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Preserved in a large plastic envelope and stored among the files of the Valley Falls Historical Society, a collection of newpaper clippings dated 1931, revealed the following news items:
March 13, "A heavy snow accompanied by high winds completely blocked all highways out of Valley Falls last Friday night and not until Monday was it possible to get through to Topeka. The Saturday games of the baseball tournament were postponed until Monday. The out-of-town teams could not get here."
March 20, "Mrs. Maxwell of Kansas City wishes to announce to her patrons she will be in Valley Falls doing permanent waving beginning March 30th. Anyone wishing either the Edmond Spiral or the Realistic Croquignole Wind permanent, call Mrs. Clyde Brooks, telephone 88, for appointment.
"The high school sociology class, under Miss Wilson's instruction, just completed a very interesting study on Valley Falls and the surrounding community. It was found there are 76 places of business; every type of shop and station as well as stores, banks, cafes, etc. The Valley Falls Vindicator prints over 1,400 copies weekly and these papers are distributed all over the United States from coast to coast. Some are sent to Scotland and Canada. Only 45 families in Valley Falls do not take the Vindicator. The Valley Falls Post Office takes an average of 30 sacks of mail daily to the train. There are five rural routes out from this office and the longest route going eight miles from town. The Meyer Milk Company makes hundreds of pounds of butter each week and a large quantity of powdered milk."
April 3, "Antone Gettler is tearing down the remains of his residence damaged by fire and will use the material to build a service station, garage, and lunch room on south Sycamore Street at the junction with Hwy. 4. When completed, will be a 'city within itself ' except a rooming house. Antone expects to handle the Phillips oil and gas products."
May 8, "The Hatfield Penslar Store is to install a fine new soda fountain within the next week. LaVelle Walker has been employed and will be charge of the fountain."
May 15, " Mit Huber is now located in the Shuler Building — operating a cigar factory, pool and billiard room, and a lunch counter."
May 29, "This week Elvin Neiman began work on the excavation for the new building, which he is putting up, which will house the Rausch Chevrolet Motor Co."
June 12, " A deal was consummated whereby Walt McDaniels and wife will sell the City Cafe to Chas. Tinklen and wife of Atchison.
"A.N. (Nick) Gahm has leased the City Bakery to a Mr. Dial of Topeka who will come here next Monday to take charge.
"Piano lessons — 12 for $5. Pay in September. Nell K. Ferguson."
Aug. 31, "Last week some Valley Falls boys 'visited' the Wm. Baumgarten watermelon patch in anticipation of securing some choice specimens. They had failed to take into consideration the fact that the Baumgartens slept in the patch. One of the watchmen fired both barrels of a shotgun into the air. The would-be pilferers quickly surrendered and they were locked in the granary. After a few hours they were released upon promise to 'never again.' "
D - B MEAT MARKET
SATURDAY SPECIALS!
Bacon Squares lb. 8c
Coney's—2 lbs. for 21c
Brick Cheese—Pound 28c
American Cheese—Pound 28c
Mitchell Bros. Bacon—(home cured) whole or half—12 1-2c
Pork Chops—Pound 13 1-2c
Weiners—Pound 13 1.2c
Boiled Ham—Pound 30c
Fresh Ham—Pound 12 1-2c
Sausage-2 pounds 17c
Hamburger—Pound 10c
Lunch Ham—Pound 12 1-2c
Beef Roast 10c
Sliced Bacon—Pound 14c
Prices f. o. b.
Lucky Day started This Week.
C. F. HESS, Manager.
The historical society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 19.
Preserved in a large plastic envelope and stored among the files of the Valley Falls Historical Society, a collection of newpaper clippings dated 1931, revealed the following news items:
March 13, "A heavy snow accompanied by high winds completely blocked all highways out of Valley Falls last Friday night and not until Monday was it possible to get through to Topeka. The Saturday games of the baseball tournament were postponed until Monday. The out-of-town teams could not get here."
March 20, "Mrs. Maxwell of Kansas City wishes to announce to her patrons she will be in Valley Falls doing permanent waving beginning March 30th. Anyone wishing either the Edmond Spiral or the Realistic Croquignole Wind permanent, call Mrs. Clyde Brooks, telephone 88, for appointment.
"The high school sociology class, under Miss Wilson's instruction, just completed a very interesting study on Valley Falls and the surrounding community. It was found there are 76 places of business; every type of shop and station as well as stores, banks, cafes, etc. The Valley Falls Vindicator prints over 1,400 copies weekly and these papers are distributed all over the United States from coast to coast. Some are sent to Scotland and Canada. Only 45 families in Valley Falls do not take the Vindicator. The Valley Falls Post Office takes an average of 30 sacks of mail daily to the train. There are five rural routes out from this office and the longest route going eight miles from town. The Meyer Milk Company makes hundreds of pounds of butter each week and a large quantity of powdered milk."
April 3, "Antone Gettler is tearing down the remains of his residence damaged by fire and will use the material to build a service station, garage, and lunch room on south Sycamore Street at the junction with Hwy. 4. When completed, will be a 'city within itself ' except a rooming house. Antone expects to handle the Phillips oil and gas products."
May 8, "The Hatfield Penslar Store is to install a fine new soda fountain within the next week. LaVelle Walker has been employed and will be charge of the fountain."
May 15, " Mit Huber is now located in the Shuler Building — operating a cigar factory, pool and billiard room, and a lunch counter."
May 29, "This week Elvin Neiman began work on the excavation for the new building, which he is putting up, which will house the Rausch Chevrolet Motor Co."
June 12, " A deal was consummated whereby Walt McDaniels and wife will sell the City Cafe to Chas. Tinklen and wife of Atchison.
"A.N. (Nick) Gahm has leased the City Bakery to a Mr. Dial of Topeka who will come here next Monday to take charge.
"Piano lessons — 12 for $5. Pay in September. Nell K. Ferguson."
Aug. 31, "Last week some Valley Falls boys 'visited' the Wm. Baumgarten watermelon patch in anticipation of securing some choice specimens. They had failed to take into consideration the fact that the Baumgartens slept in the patch. One of the watchmen fired both barrels of a shotgun into the air. The would-be pilferers quickly surrendered and they were locked in the granary. After a few hours they were released upon promise to 'never again.' "
D - B MEAT MARKET
SATURDAY SPECIALS!
Bacon Squares lb. 8c
Coney's—2 lbs. for 21c
Brick Cheese—Pound 28c
American Cheese—Pound 28c
Mitchell Bros. Bacon—(home cured) whole or half—12 1-2c
Pork Chops—Pound 13 1-2c
Weiners—Pound 13 1.2c
Boiled Ham—Pound 30c
Fresh Ham—Pound 12 1-2c
Sausage-2 pounds 17c
Hamburger—Pound 10c
Lunch Ham—Pound 12 1-2c
Beef Roast 10c
Sliced Bacon—Pound 14c
Prices f. o. b.
Lucky Day started This Week.
C. F. HESS, Manager.
The historical society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 19.
July 09, 2014
Breach of Promise: Evans says Crosby humiliated him, 1909
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
A breach of promise suit highlights the news items reported by the 1909 Farmers' Vindicator. Included among the town's daily and weekly events were the following, by dates:
Jan. 29, "The Electric Theater is giving universal satisfaction. Fine pictures and good singing every night and an entire change of program three times each week. Continuous show Saturday afternoon from 2:30."
Partial list of professionals: G.W. Marks, D.D.S. and J.M. Marks, M.D.; Dr. A.D. Lowry, physician and surgeon, successsor to Dr. G.W. England; G.H. Hobson, physician and surgeon, office in the Dr. Marks' Corner Drug Store; Dr. A.H. Braden, dentist, office over Corner Drug Store; Dr. L.R. Walker, veterinary, surgeon, horse dentistry a specialty; and T.K. Aiken, D.D.S., Aiken Building, upstairs.
Feb. 19, "Around the Courthouse" — 'A license was issued to Perry W. Corkadel and Miss May Conser to wed.' 'A marriage license was issued to Max Boyer and Inez Falls.' "
"Notice: See the Bloomer Girls play ball Saturday, June 11."
"Shuler & Son are starting to build a workshop and hearse house in the rear of their furniture store, which will give them plenty of room. It does not take a long memory to recall when Shulers' got along on much less."
July 30, "Three cars are off the tracks and about 50 sheep are dead as a result of a wreck on the Union Pacific just east of Oak Hill Wednesday morning. About 100 hundred sheep got away and were rounded up by Chas. McAfee. No lives were lost."
Sept. 10, "Breach of Promise Suit — The breach of promise petition filed last week by Eli Evans' attorneys, is the former's suit for Breach of Promise against Mrs. Rufus Crosby of Valley Falls. Mr. Evans alleges that he and Mrs. Crosby became engaged Dec. 26, 1908, and they agreed on an early marriage. Mrs. Crosby suggested May of the coming year and it was mutually agreed upon.
"Upon the approach of May, Mrs. Crosby asked for a postponement of 30 days for her to get her residence 'fixed up and repaired.' During the 30 days both Evans and Mrs. Crosby procured elaborate and expensive wedding clothes. When the 30 days were up, Mrs. Crosby asked for delay until about Aug. 15.
"Aug. 15 rolled around and this time the defendant's request for delay was construed as a refusal to carry out her part of the contract and at that time she refused to marry the defendant.
"The petition alleges that Mrs. Crosby is worth $250,000 and the defendant is worth $20,000. According to the defendent, at the time of the marriage agreement, Mrs. Crosby requested to him that she needed him to manage her property and agreed to divide equally between the two. The chief grounds for the $25,000 damages requested by Evans was, that after the marriage arrangement, he made business changes to his damage, was humiliated, mortified, and injured in feelings and reputation. The case will be docketed for the coming term of court — unless a settlement should be made before."
Friday, March 18, 1910, "The Evans-Crosby Breach of Promise case will never be heard, as the stipulations ending the suit were filed in the clerk's office Monday. By the terms of the agreement, Mrs. Crosby is to pay Mr. Evans the sum of $1,500 in full satisfaction for all claims he has or might have had against her and she to pay the court costs, but Mr. Evans to pay the cost of the depositions taken heretofore in the case, and each side to pay their own attorney fees." (Source: "Around the Courthouse")
The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 12.
A breach of promise suit highlights the news items reported by the 1909 Farmers' Vindicator. Included among the town's daily and weekly events were the following, by dates:
Jan. 29, "The Electric Theater is giving universal satisfaction. Fine pictures and good singing every night and an entire change of program three times each week. Continuous show Saturday afternoon from 2:30."
Partial list of professionals: G.W. Marks, D.D.S. and J.M. Marks, M.D.; Dr. A.D. Lowry, physician and surgeon, successsor to Dr. G.W. England; G.H. Hobson, physician and surgeon, office in the Dr. Marks' Corner Drug Store; Dr. A.H. Braden, dentist, office over Corner Drug Store; Dr. L.R. Walker, veterinary, surgeon, horse dentistry a specialty; and T.K. Aiken, D.D.S., Aiken Building, upstairs.
Feb. 19, "Around the Courthouse" — 'A license was issued to Perry W. Corkadel and Miss May Conser to wed.' 'A marriage license was issued to Max Boyer and Inez Falls.' "
"Notice: See the Bloomer Girls play ball Saturday, June 11."
"Shuler & Son are starting to build a workshop and hearse house in the rear of their furniture store, which will give them plenty of room. It does not take a long memory to recall when Shulers' got along on much less."
July 30, "Three cars are off the tracks and about 50 sheep are dead as a result of a wreck on the Union Pacific just east of Oak Hill Wednesday morning. About 100 hundred sheep got away and were rounded up by Chas. McAfee. No lives were lost."
Sept. 10, "Breach of Promise Suit — The breach of promise petition filed last week by Eli Evans' attorneys, is the former's suit for Breach of Promise against Mrs. Rufus Crosby of Valley Falls. Mr. Evans alleges that he and Mrs. Crosby became engaged Dec. 26, 1908, and they agreed on an early marriage. Mrs. Crosby suggested May of the coming year and it was mutually agreed upon.
"Upon the approach of May, Mrs. Crosby asked for a postponement of 30 days for her to get her residence 'fixed up and repaired.' During the 30 days both Evans and Mrs. Crosby procured elaborate and expensive wedding clothes. When the 30 days were up, Mrs. Crosby asked for delay until about Aug. 15.
"Aug. 15 rolled around and this time the defendant's request for delay was construed as a refusal to carry out her part of the contract and at that time she refused to marry the defendant.
"The petition alleges that Mrs. Crosby is worth $250,000 and the defendant is worth $20,000. According to the defendent, at the time of the marriage agreement, Mrs. Crosby requested to him that she needed him to manage her property and agreed to divide equally between the two. The chief grounds for the $25,000 damages requested by Evans was, that after the marriage arrangement, he made business changes to his damage, was humiliated, mortified, and injured in feelings and reputation. The case will be docketed for the coming term of court — unless a settlement should be made before."
Friday, March 18, 1910, "The Evans-Crosby Breach of Promise case will never be heard, as the stipulations ending the suit were filed in the clerk's office Monday. By the terms of the agreement, Mrs. Crosby is to pay Mr. Evans the sum of $1,500 in full satisfaction for all claims he has or might have had against her and she to pay the court costs, but Mr. Evans to pay the cost of the depositions taken heretofore in the case, and each side to pay their own attorney fees." (Source: "Around the Courthouse")
The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 12.
July 02, 2014
Early Independence Day Celebrations
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Heralded, soon after the year of its founding, Grasshopper Falls (now Valley Falls) was renowned for its great celebrations of the Fourth of July.
The first reported by local newspaper was 1857, the same year the McCarger Bros. commenced building a new hotel in the new settlement.
The materials were on the ground and the frame raised when W.C. Butts and David Fradenburg from NewYork concluded the hotel business in the "wild and wooly west" was theirs to engage in and bought out the McCargers.
The new buyers pushed the work to completion by the Fourth of July, 1857, except for partitions and plastering upstairs. The new hotel was opened to the public on the national holiday, was named the Cataract honoring the Falls on the Grasshopper River, and a great ball was planned.
Great preparations were made for the ball. Invitations were sent, expert cooks from Leavenworth were engaged weeks in advance to prepare a grand supper. The ball was a great success. It was the windup of a gala celebration of the 4th, for which the town has ever since been noted.
The next great celebration of the Fourth, that is recorded, occurred in 1861. In April 1861, the Civil War had started. The feeling of patriotism was running high. A local militia company, the Jefferson Rifles, under Lt. Lewis Stafford, had been formed and had been enrolled on May 29th, 1861, in Company E., 1st Kansas volunteer infantry, at Leavenworth. About 1,100 people attended the event.
By eight o'clock in the morning they began to arrive. They came on foot, horseback, in lumber wagons, market wagons, carriages, buggies drawn by men, plowing teams, ponies, and thoroughbreds.
The delegation from Oskaloosa and McClenny Ridge, numbering 34 wagons, headed by Oskaloosa Guards, were met at the border of town by Jefferson Rifles and three assistant marshals for escort.
Records for 1864 report the celebration was not very enjoyable. Weather was hot, dry, and few seats and little water was available. The event was ill prepared.
There was no celebration in 1875. The state and the community were deep in financial depression caused by drought and by the plague of clouds of grasshoppers.
In 1876, the one hundreth anniversary of our national independence, Valley Falls once again prepared for a great celebration.
A bright, breezy day was ushered in with the ringing of bells and firing of guns. People from different parts of the country arrived with displays of banners and mottoes and by 10:30 a.m. the parade had started down Broadway headed by the Valley Falls coronet band. Blue Mound sent a large delegation with mottoes and banners appropriate for the occasion. All along the route, buildings were beautifully decorated with flags. A stand for speakers and singers was erected and seats provided for a great number of people.
At a grave selected by the organizers, prayers were offered, a centennial hymn was sung by the glee club, speeches by selected speakers, and after an intermission for dinner, and series of toasts and patriotic speeches continued, followed by contests, wheelbarrow and potato races. All in all a gala day for celebrating the centennial anniversary of our nation's declaration of independence.
The Fourth of July celebrations have continued through the years, changing with the times and with the whims of generations, sometimes more extravagant than others.
Transportation and communication advances influenced changes in locale and availability of more materials and equipment for greater extravangance and more sophisticated displays with patriotism, liberty, and freedom the core of each celebration.
Oratory and mock battles became less frequent and family outings, weekend trips, and simple "extra day off" gained popularity, with fireworks climaxing the day.
Happy Holiday!
The historical society museum will close at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 5.
Heralded, soon after the year of its founding, Grasshopper Falls (now Valley Falls) was renowned for its great celebrations of the Fourth of July.
The first reported by local newspaper was 1857, the same year the McCarger Bros. commenced building a new hotel in the new settlement.
The materials were on the ground and the frame raised when W.C. Butts and David Fradenburg from NewYork concluded the hotel business in the "wild and wooly west" was theirs to engage in and bought out the McCargers.
The new buyers pushed the work to completion by the Fourth of July, 1857, except for partitions and plastering upstairs. The new hotel was opened to the public on the national holiday, was named the Cataract honoring the Falls on the Grasshopper River, and a great ball was planned.
Great preparations were made for the ball. Invitations were sent, expert cooks from Leavenworth were engaged weeks in advance to prepare a grand supper. The ball was a great success. It was the windup of a gala celebration of the 4th, for which the town has ever since been noted.
The next great celebration of the Fourth, that is recorded, occurred in 1861. In April 1861, the Civil War had started. The feeling of patriotism was running high. A local militia company, the Jefferson Rifles, under Lt. Lewis Stafford, had been formed and had been enrolled on May 29th, 1861, in Company E., 1st Kansas volunteer infantry, at Leavenworth. About 1,100 people attended the event.
By eight o'clock in the morning they began to arrive. They came on foot, horseback, in lumber wagons, market wagons, carriages, buggies drawn by men, plowing teams, ponies, and thoroughbreds.
The delegation from Oskaloosa and McClenny Ridge, numbering 34 wagons, headed by Oskaloosa Guards, were met at the border of town by Jefferson Rifles and three assistant marshals for escort.
Records for 1864 report the celebration was not very enjoyable. Weather was hot, dry, and few seats and little water was available. The event was ill prepared.
There was no celebration in 1875. The state and the community were deep in financial depression caused by drought and by the plague of clouds of grasshoppers.
In 1876, the one hundreth anniversary of our national independence, Valley Falls once again prepared for a great celebration.
A bright, breezy day was ushered in with the ringing of bells and firing of guns. People from different parts of the country arrived with displays of banners and mottoes and by 10:30 a.m. the parade had started down Broadway headed by the Valley Falls coronet band. Blue Mound sent a large delegation with mottoes and banners appropriate for the occasion. All along the route, buildings were beautifully decorated with flags. A stand for speakers and singers was erected and seats provided for a great number of people.
At a grave selected by the organizers, prayers were offered, a centennial hymn was sung by the glee club, speeches by selected speakers, and after an intermission for dinner, and series of toasts and patriotic speeches continued, followed by contests, wheelbarrow and potato races. All in all a gala day for celebrating the centennial anniversary of our nation's declaration of independence.
The Fourth of July celebrations have continued through the years, changing with the times and with the whims of generations, sometimes more extravagant than others.
Transportation and communication advances influenced changes in locale and availability of more materials and equipment for greater extravangance and more sophisticated displays with patriotism, liberty, and freedom the core of each celebration.
Oratory and mock battles became less frequent and family outings, weekend trips, and simple "extra day off" gained popularity, with fireworks climaxing the day.
Happy Holiday!
The historical society museum will close at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 5.
June 25, 2014
July window displays
by Betty Jane Wilson
The Valley Falls Historical Society window displays honor the celebrations of our nation's Independence Day, July 4, with symbols of freedom and liberty.
The seasonal window is dominated by a giant replica of the Declaration of Independence surrounded by placards naming signers of the document, many of whom also signed the Constitution of the United States.
An enlarged photo of the 1911 Valley Falls Fourth of July parade accompanies the declaration. A fife and drum corp painting, by local artist Susan Phillips, overlooks the patriotic scene.
Military service flags, displayed before a background of red, white, and blue banners and framed by miniature United States of America flags, pay homage to the revered holiday.
The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 28.
NOTE: Two oversized scrapbooks, dated 1916 and 1926-'27 respectively, presently of unknown origin, containing hundreds of newspaper clippings of local and historic events are currently on display at the museum. Visitor browsing in encouraged.
The Valley Falls Historical Society window displays honor the celebrations of our nation's Independence Day, July 4, with symbols of freedom and liberty.
The seasonal window is dominated by a giant replica of the Declaration of Independence surrounded by placards naming signers of the document, many of whom also signed the Constitution of the United States.
An enlarged photo of the 1911 Valley Falls Fourth of July parade accompanies the declaration. A fife and drum corp painting, by local artist Susan Phillips, overlooks the patriotic scene.
Military service flags, displayed before a background of red, white, and blue banners and framed by miniature United States of America flags, pay homage to the revered holiday.
The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 28.
NOTE: Two oversized scrapbooks, dated 1916 and 1926-'27 respectively, presently of unknown origin, containing hundreds of newspaper clippings of local and historic events are currently on display at the museum. Visitor browsing in encouraged.
June 18, 2014
Remembering the Railroads
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
From the Valley Falls Historical Society files, excerpts from a collection of railroad tales and quotes composed by the late Lorene Catron for the historial society — 1981.
"The first railroads built in the USA were started about 1829. It was 1859 before the railroad system reached this area, which was St. Joseph, Mo.
"Trains ran on wood — coal — water — and mutton tallow until 1859 when a conductor on the New Haven Railroad dug a 60-foot oil well at Titusville, Pa. This was a breakthrough.
"Another great advancement was the use of windmills, which were introduced by the railroads. Union Pacific had 70 large windmills they used for pumping water for use on the locomotives. One of the largest towers was 72 ft. high with a wheel 25 ft. across.
"The railroads were not welcomed by the boat people, especially in the south. They fought them all, going so far as to sabotage the bridges across riverways. Besides boat and bridge shippers, rival railroad crews would sabotage each other in order to hold their territory . . .
"Americans were enchanted with the Iron Horse! In 10 years, railroad promoters had taken 33 million acres across the peoples' land. In planning the railroads, Indian rights were ignored and 31 million buffalo were slaughtered in Kansas alone . . . The railroads west and south intercepting thousands of cattle grazing grounds . . . Even with free land, it took capital to build a railroad. Counties voted money, towns voted land and cash for terminals, individuals invested $400 and $500 each.
"Business would boom, real estate prices soared, farms started, and everybody won.
"The Santa Fe was late getting started, but in 1871 work started from both ends — Topeka to Atchison. It was completed in 1872.
"At that time, trains ran by smoke and headlights. The crews kept Winchester rifles handy. Drunken cowboys shot out the headlights, raided lonely depots, and Indians and prairie fire plagued the new railroads.
"The trains had no vestibule on their passenger cars. Conductors and brakemen leaped from car to car. There were no lavatories. Coal stoves heated the cars in winter.
"Before the railroad moved in, only a few thousand people were in the territory. In a few short weeks, with a railroad, the population doubled and tripled.
"The 'work train,' which laid out the railroad, was a 'town on wheels.' Laying of the rails was like a military operation. There were surveyors, locaters, graders, bridge builders, men placing ties, laying track, spiking down the rails, ballasting and completing the road.
"Work camps looked like a town. Another camp would be established 140 miles or so west. Then a new camp would follow on wagons with the the knocked down buildings, tents, wooden siding, and entire roofs. The vilest of men and women, gamblers, and desperadoes made up these settlements. Herds of cattle were driven each day alongside the work train to have fresh beef to eat. It cost $20 to $30 thousand to build a mile of railroad. Even then much of the work was shoddy and had to be replaced.
"The telegraph lines replaced the Pony Express. Each train carried a telegrapher as a member of the crew. He also served as a baggage man. Engineers and firemen were paid $60 a month. The brakeman had the most dangerous job of all and was paid $40 a month. He had to stand between the cars to couple them together. Many had missing fingers and hands. He also had to ride on top of cars in all kinds of weather to use the hand brakes. It took 15 or 20 years before railroads put in automatic couplers and air brakes."
Passenger rail service in Valley Falls ended in 1958.
The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 21.
From the Valley Falls Historical Society files, excerpts from a collection of railroad tales and quotes composed by the late Lorene Catron for the historial society — 1981.
"The first railroads built in the USA were started about 1829. It was 1859 before the railroad system reached this area, which was St. Joseph, Mo.
"Trains ran on wood — coal — water — and mutton tallow until 1859 when a conductor on the New Haven Railroad dug a 60-foot oil well at Titusville, Pa. This was a breakthrough.
"Another great advancement was the use of windmills, which were introduced by the railroads. Union Pacific had 70 large windmills they used for pumping water for use on the locomotives. One of the largest towers was 72 ft. high with a wheel 25 ft. across.
"The railroads were not welcomed by the boat people, especially in the south. They fought them all, going so far as to sabotage the bridges across riverways. Besides boat and bridge shippers, rival railroad crews would sabotage each other in order to hold their territory . . .
"Americans were enchanted with the Iron Horse! In 10 years, railroad promoters had taken 33 million acres across the peoples' land. In planning the railroads, Indian rights were ignored and 31 million buffalo were slaughtered in Kansas alone . . . The railroads west and south intercepting thousands of cattle grazing grounds . . . Even with free land, it took capital to build a railroad. Counties voted money, towns voted land and cash for terminals, individuals invested $400 and $500 each.
"Business would boom, real estate prices soared, farms started, and everybody won.
"The Santa Fe was late getting started, but in 1871 work started from both ends — Topeka to Atchison. It was completed in 1872.
"At that time, trains ran by smoke and headlights. The crews kept Winchester rifles handy. Drunken cowboys shot out the headlights, raided lonely depots, and Indians and prairie fire plagued the new railroads.
"The trains had no vestibule on their passenger cars. Conductors and brakemen leaped from car to car. There were no lavatories. Coal stoves heated the cars in winter.
"Before the railroad moved in, only a few thousand people were in the territory. In a few short weeks, with a railroad, the population doubled and tripled.
"The 'work train,' which laid out the railroad, was a 'town on wheels.' Laying of the rails was like a military operation. There were surveyors, locaters, graders, bridge builders, men placing ties, laying track, spiking down the rails, ballasting and completing the road.
"Work camps looked like a town. Another camp would be established 140 miles or so west. Then a new camp would follow on wagons with the the knocked down buildings, tents, wooden siding, and entire roofs. The vilest of men and women, gamblers, and desperadoes made up these settlements. Herds of cattle were driven each day alongside the work train to have fresh beef to eat. It cost $20 to $30 thousand to build a mile of railroad. Even then much of the work was shoddy and had to be replaced.
"The telegraph lines replaced the Pony Express. Each train carried a telegrapher as a member of the crew. He also served as a baggage man. Engineers and firemen were paid $60 a month. The brakeman had the most dangerous job of all and was paid $40 a month. He had to stand between the cars to couple them together. Many had missing fingers and hands. He also had to ride on top of cars in all kinds of weather to use the hand brakes. It took 15 or 20 years before railroads put in automatic couplers and air brakes."
Passenger rail service in Valley Falls ended in 1958.
The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 21.
June 10, 2014
Tragic death of Pearl Ferguson, 1904
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Born October 20, 1880 — Died October 16, 1904, Miss Pearl Ferguson
The news headlines and story reflecting the shock and grief of the community follows:
"Terrible tragedy. The flower of womanhood withered by suicide's bitter blight. Mind impaired by sickness. The beautiful and popular Miss Pearl Ferguson runs from her palatial home, plunges from a bridge into the Delaware and drowns in the night. Dark clouds have hovered over the skies during most of the week and cold rain has dampened and chilled the earth; but the clouds are as sunbeams compared with the shroud of gloom that appalls the hearts of Jefferson County and the moisture from the dreary skies perhaps does not compare with the flood of tears shed by a multitude of sorrowing people over the pitfall, tragic death of Miss Pearl Ferguson, the only daughter of Mr. Walter Ferguson, ex-county treasurer of this county.
"The sad story begins with March 1904 when Miss Pearl and her mother were afflicted with the measels, her mind has been affected ever since.
"During this time she was under the constant surveillance of a competent medical advisor and her condition was thought to be rapidly improving. Last Sunday evening Walter Ferguson was writing a letter to his brother, Mrs. Ferguson was reading to her two youngest sons, and Miss Pearl played awhile on the piano and then went upstairs saying she would write a letter to her uncle also.
"Soon Mr. Ferguson went to her room to get her letter, but he could not find his daughter. After calling outside, they searched her room. Miss Pearl's rings, watch, combs, pins and hat were there and in a drawer were found two letters, one to her parents and one to her brother, Ross, and his wife.
"The former letter lamented over mental condition since her sickness and expressed the fear that she would become worse. She said she had deliberated long over what she should do and decided that for the sake of herself and loved ones she best end it all.
"The letter told her parents that it would be no use to try to find her, that she was the same as dead. But if they did, to give her a Christian burial. A tender farewell was signed, 'Your dead Pearl.'
"The letter to Ross and his wife begged them to be kind to her parents as they would have no daughter now and bade them farewell.
"Mr. Ferguson called Dr. M.F. Marks, who had the case in charge and said he feared they were in trouble and asked the doctor if there was any danger of the girl doing anything desperate; to which the doctor responded positively and started a search immediately with C. Smith and J. Huber and others.
"At the bridge they saw a lantern below. It was the girl's brother, Ross, and F. Harmon looking out into the water. Strangely within only a dozen feet was the girl's body, but the cold silent waters in the blackness of night told no secret.
"All night long lanterns as thick as stars glimmered through the woods, fields and byways. Monday and Monday night hundreds continued the search. Many gave up the search. Tuesday afternoon Dr. Marks, Lou Hauck and J.E. Tutt were in a boat dragging the river.
"Lou Hauck said, 'We might as well cross here, leave the boat and give up, but I will always believe she is right between the bridges.'
"Tutt said, 'My mind was raking through this hole and I dreamed I found her.'
"Dr. Marks, who had the oars, said, 'If she is near here, I will take you across the place she is most likely to be.'
"Just then about seven feet above the wagon bridge at Legler Hill near the east side of the river, Tutt's hook caught something heavy and the poor young woman's dresses were pulled to the top of the water.
"Perhaps 500 people in 150 carriages attended the funeral Wednesday. Cold rain fell in dreary mist as if nature was weeping over 'Poor Dead Pearl!' Rev. Braden preached the sermon — short, impressive, paying glowing just tribute to the fair dead — attributing no blame to man or God.
"The deceased, born in Valley Falls, was buried one day before her 24th birthday . . . a beautiful useful life ended . . . a thousand hearts now ache with sorrow. Our priceless Pearl is gone."
The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 14.
Born October 20, 1880 — Died October 16, 1904, Miss Pearl Ferguson
The news headlines and story reflecting the shock and grief of the community follows:
"Terrible tragedy. The flower of womanhood withered by suicide's bitter blight. Mind impaired by sickness. The beautiful and popular Miss Pearl Ferguson runs from her palatial home, plunges from a bridge into the Delaware and drowns in the night. Dark clouds have hovered over the skies during most of the week and cold rain has dampened and chilled the earth; but the clouds are as sunbeams compared with the shroud of gloom that appalls the hearts of Jefferson County and the moisture from the dreary skies perhaps does not compare with the flood of tears shed by a multitude of sorrowing people over the pitfall, tragic death of Miss Pearl Ferguson, the only daughter of Mr. Walter Ferguson, ex-county treasurer of this county.
"The sad story begins with March 1904 when Miss Pearl and her mother were afflicted with the measels, her mind has been affected ever since.
"During this time she was under the constant surveillance of a competent medical advisor and her condition was thought to be rapidly improving. Last Sunday evening Walter Ferguson was writing a letter to his brother, Mrs. Ferguson was reading to her two youngest sons, and Miss Pearl played awhile on the piano and then went upstairs saying she would write a letter to her uncle also.
"Soon Mr. Ferguson went to her room to get her letter, but he could not find his daughter. After calling outside, they searched her room. Miss Pearl's rings, watch, combs, pins and hat were there and in a drawer were found two letters, one to her parents and one to her brother, Ross, and his wife.
"The former letter lamented over mental condition since her sickness and expressed the fear that she would become worse. She said she had deliberated long over what she should do and decided that for the sake of herself and loved ones she best end it all.
"The letter told her parents that it would be no use to try to find her, that she was the same as dead. But if they did, to give her a Christian burial. A tender farewell was signed, 'Your dead Pearl.'
"The letter to Ross and his wife begged them to be kind to her parents as they would have no daughter now and bade them farewell.
"Mr. Ferguson called Dr. M.F. Marks, who had the case in charge and said he feared they were in trouble and asked the doctor if there was any danger of the girl doing anything desperate; to which the doctor responded positively and started a search immediately with C. Smith and J. Huber and others.
"At the bridge they saw a lantern below. It was the girl's brother, Ross, and F. Harmon looking out into the water. Strangely within only a dozen feet was the girl's body, but the cold silent waters in the blackness of night told no secret.
"All night long lanterns as thick as stars glimmered through the woods, fields and byways. Monday and Monday night hundreds continued the search. Many gave up the search. Tuesday afternoon Dr. Marks, Lou Hauck and J.E. Tutt were in a boat dragging the river.
"Lou Hauck said, 'We might as well cross here, leave the boat and give up, but I will always believe she is right between the bridges.'
"Tutt said, 'My mind was raking through this hole and I dreamed I found her.'
"Dr. Marks, who had the oars, said, 'If she is near here, I will take you across the place she is most likely to be.'
"Just then about seven feet above the wagon bridge at Legler Hill near the east side of the river, Tutt's hook caught something heavy and the poor young woman's dresses were pulled to the top of the water.
"Perhaps 500 people in 150 carriages attended the funeral Wednesday. Cold rain fell in dreary mist as if nature was weeping over 'Poor Dead Pearl!' Rev. Braden preached the sermon — short, impressive, paying glowing just tribute to the fair dead — attributing no blame to man or God.
"The deceased, born in Valley Falls, was buried one day before her 24th birthday . . . a beautiful useful life ended . . . a thousand hearts now ache with sorrow. Our priceless Pearl is gone."
The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 14.
June 03, 2014
April and May museum visitors
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
April and May visitors of the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum including the Memorial Day holiday weekend were:
Mathew, Marcella, and Molly Montez, Oakley, Calif.; Laurie Montez and Carolyn Patterson Tuttle, Tracy, Calif.; Becky S. Grisson and Bernita I. Morton Miller, both Merced, Calif.; L. and Leola McAfee, Custer, S.D.; C. Amble, Quincy, Ill.; Edward Funk, Greenfield, Mass.; Jayne Irwin, St. Charles, Mo.; Roger Ford, Hazelwood, Mo.; Kathy Marsh Langhue, Smithville, Mo.;
Elaine and Dennis Doernberg, Las Cruces, N.M.; Catherine Ferrell and Gary Ferrell, both Tulsa, Okla.; Elva Ferrell, Midwest City, Okla.; Ina Neubauer, Oregon City, Ore.; Charles Tharp, Humble, Texas; Casey and Christy Speer, Camby, Ind.; Pat Wilkerson, El Dorado; Charles and Gail Coker Carr, Hiawatha; Jerry and Karen Lonard, Lenexa;
Jared, Carrie, Kaylee, and Lauren Rider, Olathe; Fred Steinmetz, Overland Park; Gwendolyn Marlene Reichart-Towle, Overland Park; Gerald and M. Boyce, Maple Hill; Butch and Jan Wichman, Manhattan; Nelle Marsh Schneider, Shawnee;
Donald Dial, Emily Clark, Lois Reichart Beamer, Charles and Norma McMullen, Lorraine Perkins, and Tom and Peggy Burns, all Topeka; Rex and Scarlett Ford and Ed Richie, all Tecumseh; Kim Clark, Wamego; Ron and Lorraine Herring, Winchester; and Susan Phillips, Keith Jackson, Rachel Woodgate, Cheyenne Ingraham, Mary Breitsprecher, Shirley, Alden, and Isaiha McGee, Evalena Fox, Bonnie Heuertz, Jerry Tullis, Denise Coker, Charlie Stutesman, all Valley Falls.
The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 7.
April and May visitors of the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum including the Memorial Day holiday weekend were:
Mathew, Marcella, and Molly Montez, Oakley, Calif.; Laurie Montez and Carolyn Patterson Tuttle, Tracy, Calif.; Becky S. Grisson and Bernita I. Morton Miller, both Merced, Calif.; L. and Leola McAfee, Custer, S.D.; C. Amble, Quincy, Ill.; Edward Funk, Greenfield, Mass.; Jayne Irwin, St. Charles, Mo.; Roger Ford, Hazelwood, Mo.; Kathy Marsh Langhue, Smithville, Mo.;
Elaine and Dennis Doernberg, Las Cruces, N.M.; Catherine Ferrell and Gary Ferrell, both Tulsa, Okla.; Elva Ferrell, Midwest City, Okla.; Ina Neubauer, Oregon City, Ore.; Charles Tharp, Humble, Texas; Casey and Christy Speer, Camby, Ind.; Pat Wilkerson, El Dorado; Charles and Gail Coker Carr, Hiawatha; Jerry and Karen Lonard, Lenexa;
Jared, Carrie, Kaylee, and Lauren Rider, Olathe; Fred Steinmetz, Overland Park; Gwendolyn Marlene Reichart-Towle, Overland Park; Gerald and M. Boyce, Maple Hill; Butch and Jan Wichman, Manhattan; Nelle Marsh Schneider, Shawnee;
Donald Dial, Emily Clark, Lois Reichart Beamer, Charles and Norma McMullen, Lorraine Perkins, and Tom and Peggy Burns, all Topeka; Rex and Scarlett Ford and Ed Richie, all Tecumseh; Kim Clark, Wamego; Ron and Lorraine Herring, Winchester; and Susan Phillips, Keith Jackson, Rachel Woodgate, Cheyenne Ingraham, Mary Breitsprecher, Shirley, Alden, and Isaiha McGee, Evalena Fox, Bonnie Heuertz, Jerry Tullis, Denise Coker, Charlie Stutesman, all Valley Falls.
The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 7.
Valley Falls' first Decoration (Memorial) Day observance, 1884
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
The Valley Falls Historical Society's annual reminder and review of the events in honor of the first Decoration (Memorial) Day observed in Valley Falls follows —
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 calculated 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 museum will observe these hours Memorial Day weekend: Saturday, May 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, May 25, open immediately following the reunion dinner at the Delaware Township Hall until 3 p.m. or later if required, and Monday, May 26, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Valley Falls Historical Society's annual reminder and review of the events in honor of the first Decoration (Memorial) Day observed in Valley Falls follows —
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 calculated 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 museum will observe these hours Memorial Day weekend: Saturday, May 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, May 25, open immediately following the reunion dinner at the Delaware Township Hall until 3 p.m. or later if required, and Monday, May 26, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May 14, 2014
Congratulations class of 2014; and happy 50th class of 1964!
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
The Valley Falls Historical Society congratulates the Valley Falls 2014 senior class graduates and extends special congratulatory recognition to the class of 1964 celebrating their 50th anniversary.
The society museum window displays for May are dedicated to the Valley Falls public schools and to all military veterans, past and present.
The "school" window features an oversized photo of the second Valley Falls High School, built in 1899-1900. The first building, built in 1866, burned in 1898.
The mega school portrait is surrounded by an assortment of facts, figures, and photos of subsequent "Halls of Learning" — those hoarders of memories, lifetime friendships, and an appreciable amount of "high school sweetheart" unions.
Congratulations and happy reunions!
The veterans window scene honors all men and women members of the U.S. military services, past and present.
Red poppies reminiscent of the World War I famous "In Flanders Field, the poppies grow, between the crosses, row on row," etc., are a tribute to those fallen heroes. Miniature green wreaths centered with a white cross topped by a single poppy remember each of the military services represented by individual service flags, surrounded by small American flags. A simple peace symbol on a deep blue background completes the scene. God bless America.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17.
The museum will observe extended hours during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, Saturday, May 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, May 25, immediately following the reunion dinner at the Delaware Township Hall, until 3 p.m. or later, if required, and Monday, May 26, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Valley Falls Historical Society congratulates the Valley Falls 2014 senior class graduates and extends special congratulatory recognition to the class of 1964 celebrating their 50th anniversary.
The society museum window displays for May are dedicated to the Valley Falls public schools and to all military veterans, past and present.
The "school" window features an oversized photo of the second Valley Falls High School, built in 1899-1900. The first building, built in 1866, burned in 1898.
The mega school portrait is surrounded by an assortment of facts, figures, and photos of subsequent "Halls of Learning" — those hoarders of memories, lifetime friendships, and an appreciable amount of "high school sweetheart" unions.
Congratulations and happy reunions!
The veterans window scene honors all men and women members of the U.S. military services, past and present.
Red poppies reminiscent of the World War I famous "In Flanders Field, the poppies grow, between the crosses, row on row," etc., are a tribute to those fallen heroes. Miniature green wreaths centered with a white cross topped by a single poppy remember each of the military services represented by individual service flags, surrounded by small American flags. A simple peace symbol on a deep blue background completes the scene. God bless America.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17.
The museum will observe extended hours during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, Saturday, May 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, May 25, immediately following the reunion dinner at the Delaware Township Hall, until 3 p.m. or later, if required, and Monday, May 26, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May 12, 2014
Arnold Abbuehl's voyage to America, part 2
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Arnold Abbuehl family and friends departed for America June 9, 1851, but were delayed another three days. They finally set sail June 13. Following is his story of their sea voyage.
"Now I want to tell you something about the sea voyage. First we had very bad wind and sometimes none at all, so that in 14 days we had moved forward only 200 hours. At that time seasickness was no problem. Then we got a little wind but still too little and always side wind. We were driven far north, we saw ice blocks, we felt very cold and on some days it was unbearable on deck. All the time we had to wear woolen clothes and a coat, all fear of heat hat totally vanished. We had few storm, 3 times a little. Once waves hit the deck so that water poured onto the lower deck so that Tannler had to flee with his bed. One gave a light and the Catholics started loudly to pray. Twice there was a thunderstorm, so that the hatches were shut and the Catholics again fell on their knees to pray, but thanks God everything went well.
"On 24th we met a ship, loaded with timber that had been burned by a lightning. The sailors said this was the fifth ship that had misfortune this year they knew of. On 26th a child had died and sometimes we were low hearted. Seasickness at times was heavy. Our little boy Arnold was ill a long time but not by the sea. Now he is again fairly well but very lean. Margaretha had to vomit a few times, little Anna was always in good health. The old Anna (Arnold Abbuehl's wife) was also very healthy, she had never to vomit. No passenger on the whole ship was better off than she. I, however, was in poor condition. Fully 6 weeks I had to stay in bed, not the first fortnight and not the last, during the rest of the time I have always been sick. Tannler and his wife were also sick at times, but Balthasar Streun and his children had stayed in fairly good health. Never believe that this sickness is over in just three days! Many people have been sick all the time. Now, however, thanks God in 10 full weeks we have reached New York in good health. We are much relieved, for 10 weeks on the sea there are many grievances.
"We have no news from our travel mates. We heard they had arrived here one month ago but we know nothing for sure. We are wondering why they have left no message for us. In Antwerp we agreed that whatever party first arrives they should let know the other one of their whereabouts. On the other hand, Neiger and his wife Katharina von Bergen who departed from Meiringen on 7th June reached New York 14 days ahead of us and have already found a job as innkeepers. They are well and send greetings to their relatives in Boden. They will give them more information as soon as they get any news from their cousin Neiger in Colickeu. (Colicky?)
"Thousand greetings from us to father, mother, brothers and sisters and all friends and wish you everything we need from God. Especially our parents be blessed. Also to priest Jaggi we send greetings thousand times. Again, we are well, are not homesick and you, too, should have none. God has protected us so far and we are confident he will do it further on. 18th August we will start our second lap to the state of Ohio to see our new fatherland. It will cost us very much money. Now we want to close, we will let you know of our well-being later on. You will not be able to answer this letter until we write to you our new address.
"We are fine and hope these few lines will reach you in the best of health. We greet all of you a thousand times. New York, 17th August 1851
Arnold Abbuehl
Johannes Tannler
Balthasar Streun"
Mr. Schlappi, author of the letter of inquiry Part I, also advised, among the letters (ref. Part I) are quite a few from Anna Abbuehl (1866-1938) wrote from home in Valley Falls. She had traveled with her brother Kaspar to America on the MS Cascogne, sailing from Le Havre to New York in June 1891.
The overland trip was by train via Buffalo, Kansas City, Tonaganoxie, to Valley Falls. Their brother Melchoir refers to his boss as a sensible man. Melchoir had arrived there one year before working as a farm hand with Mel Hefti. Anna's first job as a maid was with Anton Reichart's family. They apparently lived on Coal Creek Road, (Anna one time spelled it 'Kolkirick.')
Mr. Schlappi also advised plans are to publish the letters in some form or other and would be interested in hearing from anyone with background information. The Valley Falls Historical Society will furnish information pertinent to the inquiry.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10.
Arnold Abbuehl family and friends departed for America June 9, 1851, but were delayed another three days. They finally set sail June 13. Following is his story of their sea voyage.
"Now I want to tell you something about the sea voyage. First we had very bad wind and sometimes none at all, so that in 14 days we had moved forward only 200 hours. At that time seasickness was no problem. Then we got a little wind but still too little and always side wind. We were driven far north, we saw ice blocks, we felt very cold and on some days it was unbearable on deck. All the time we had to wear woolen clothes and a coat, all fear of heat hat totally vanished. We had few storm, 3 times a little. Once waves hit the deck so that water poured onto the lower deck so that Tannler had to flee with his bed. One gave a light and the Catholics started loudly to pray. Twice there was a thunderstorm, so that the hatches were shut and the Catholics again fell on their knees to pray, but thanks God everything went well.
"On 24th we met a ship, loaded with timber that had been burned by a lightning. The sailors said this was the fifth ship that had misfortune this year they knew of. On 26th a child had died and sometimes we were low hearted. Seasickness at times was heavy. Our little boy Arnold was ill a long time but not by the sea. Now he is again fairly well but very lean. Margaretha had to vomit a few times, little Anna was always in good health. The old Anna (Arnold Abbuehl's wife) was also very healthy, she had never to vomit. No passenger on the whole ship was better off than she. I, however, was in poor condition. Fully 6 weeks I had to stay in bed, not the first fortnight and not the last, during the rest of the time I have always been sick. Tannler and his wife were also sick at times, but Balthasar Streun and his children had stayed in fairly good health. Never believe that this sickness is over in just three days! Many people have been sick all the time. Now, however, thanks God in 10 full weeks we have reached New York in good health. We are much relieved, for 10 weeks on the sea there are many grievances.
"We have no news from our travel mates. We heard they had arrived here one month ago but we know nothing for sure. We are wondering why they have left no message for us. In Antwerp we agreed that whatever party first arrives they should let know the other one of their whereabouts. On the other hand, Neiger and his wife Katharina von Bergen who departed from Meiringen on 7th June reached New York 14 days ahead of us and have already found a job as innkeepers. They are well and send greetings to their relatives in Boden. They will give them more information as soon as they get any news from their cousin Neiger in Colickeu. (Colicky?)
"Thousand greetings from us to father, mother, brothers and sisters and all friends and wish you everything we need from God. Especially our parents be blessed. Also to priest Jaggi we send greetings thousand times. Again, we are well, are not homesick and you, too, should have none. God has protected us so far and we are confident he will do it further on. 18th August we will start our second lap to the state of Ohio to see our new fatherland. It will cost us very much money. Now we want to close, we will let you know of our well-being later on. You will not be able to answer this letter until we write to you our new address.
"We are fine and hope these few lines will reach you in the best of health. We greet all of you a thousand times. New York, 17th August 1851
Arnold Abbuehl
Johannes Tannler
Balthasar Streun"
Mr. Schlappi, author of the letter of inquiry Part I, also advised, among the letters (ref. Part I) are quite a few from Anna Abbuehl (1866-1938) wrote from home in Valley Falls. She had traveled with her brother Kaspar to America on the MS Cascogne, sailing from Le Havre to New York in June 1891.
The overland trip was by train via Buffalo, Kansas City, Tonaganoxie, to Valley Falls. Their brother Melchoir refers to his boss as a sensible man. Melchoir had arrived there one year before working as a farm hand with Mel Hefti. Anna's first job as a maid was with Anton Reichart's family. They apparently lived on Coal Creek Road, (Anna one time spelled it 'Kolkirick.')
Mr. Schlappi also advised plans are to publish the letters in some form or other and would be interested in hearing from anyone with background information. The Valley Falls Historical Society will furnish information pertinent to the inquiry.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10.
April 30, 2014
Arnold Abbuehl's voyage to America, part 1
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, president of the Valley Falls Historical Society
The Valley Falls Historical Society recently received an inquiry from Walter Schlappi-Kuter, Guttannen, Switzerland, for information about Kaspar Abbuehl. The writer has also asked for information about Viola Reichart, about whom he wrote, "Back in 1976, Viola wrote a letter to Kaspar Schlappi, a distant relative of mine . . . She wanted to find out what itinerary the Guttannen people, Ott and Abbuehl, took on their journey to America around 1850."
Mr. Schlappi advised that relative had passed away and he did not know if her letter had been answered and continued "By chance, some time ago I came across a stack of old letters. In one of those Arnold Abbuehl (1823-1899) described exactly his trip."
"From New York, Arnold Abbuehl, with his family, moved by ship to Albany, continued by train to Buffalo, crossed the Erie Sea to Cleveland and finally arrived on a canal boat to New Philadelphia on Aug. 26, 1851."
Following is a copy of a portion of the letter to the family written by Arnold and others upon arrival at New York, August 1851, describing their journey to America.
The events will be reported in Parts I and II — the first relates events leading up to the sea voyage; Part II tells of the sea voyage.
Part I —
"Beloved father, mother, brother and sister and all relatives Thanks god we can now in good health tell you a few things of our journey. We are sure that you yearned for a letter from us. However, we want to tell you only the most important events of our trip, for if we wanted to report every occurrences we would not be able to finish the letter in one day.
When we came to Berne we had to pay for each adult 150 Swiss francs and for each child under 12 years 110 Swiss francs. Now you can calculate how much the total amount was. (Remark: it was 740 Swiss francs) On May 26 we came to Basel and had to stay there until May 30, then we took the train to Mannheim. There we stayed overnight and on first of June travelled on a steam ship over the Rhine to Köln. There we stayed one day, and on the third we went on by train to Antwerpen where we had to stay until June 9.
At that time all of us were well, particularly the children. We naturally assumed that we all would come on board of the same ship, but things turned out differently. When we had to help load our trunks from the railway to the ship, joy turned into grief. We were desperate when we were told that we would be separated, some of us would come on this ship and the rest of another one. Heinrich Gebel, Johannes Frutiger, Alexander Nägeli, Melchior Banholzer Balthasar Abplanalp and Johannes Frutiger from Gadmen went on a three-master named Elisabeth Delison with 370 passengers. They sailed on June 7. I, Johann Tännler, Balthasar Streun, Schieferli (the tour guide) and Magdalena Gebel came on a two-master named "Profethen" with 80 passengers. We departed on June 9, but hardly 200 yards out of the harbor we had to stay still for 3 days without getting any ship provisions. Hence we had to live on our own money, there was enough to buy but very expensive. From 13th on we sailed gently through the Canal."
(Next Part II, the sea voyage — )
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 3.
The Valley Falls Historical Society recently received an inquiry from Walter Schlappi-Kuter, Guttannen, Switzerland, for information about Kaspar Abbuehl. The writer has also asked for information about Viola Reichart, about whom he wrote, "Back in 1976, Viola wrote a letter to Kaspar Schlappi, a distant relative of mine . . . She wanted to find out what itinerary the Guttannen people, Ott and Abbuehl, took on their journey to America around 1850."
Mr. Schlappi advised that relative had passed away and he did not know if her letter had been answered and continued "By chance, some time ago I came across a stack of old letters. In one of those Arnold Abbuehl (1823-1899) described exactly his trip."
"From New York, Arnold Abbuehl, with his family, moved by ship to Albany, continued by train to Buffalo, crossed the Erie Sea to Cleveland and finally arrived on a canal boat to New Philadelphia on Aug. 26, 1851."
Following is a copy of a portion of the letter to the family written by Arnold and others upon arrival at New York, August 1851, describing their journey to America.
The events will be reported in Parts I and II — the first relates events leading up to the sea voyage; Part II tells of the sea voyage.
Part I —
"Beloved father, mother, brother and sister and all relatives Thanks god we can now in good health tell you a few things of our journey. We are sure that you yearned for a letter from us. However, we want to tell you only the most important events of our trip, for if we wanted to report every occurrences we would not be able to finish the letter in one day.
When we came to Berne we had to pay for each adult 150 Swiss francs and for each child under 12 years 110 Swiss francs. Now you can calculate how much the total amount was. (Remark: it was 740 Swiss francs) On May 26 we came to Basel and had to stay there until May 30, then we took the train to Mannheim. There we stayed overnight and on first of June travelled on a steam ship over the Rhine to Köln. There we stayed one day, and on the third we went on by train to Antwerpen where we had to stay until June 9.
At that time all of us were well, particularly the children. We naturally assumed that we all would come on board of the same ship, but things turned out differently. When we had to help load our trunks from the railway to the ship, joy turned into grief. We were desperate when we were told that we would be separated, some of us would come on this ship and the rest of another one. Heinrich Gebel, Johannes Frutiger, Alexander Nägeli, Melchior Banholzer Balthasar Abplanalp and Johannes Frutiger from Gadmen went on a three-master named Elisabeth Delison with 370 passengers. They sailed on June 7. I, Johann Tännler, Balthasar Streun, Schieferli (the tour guide) and Magdalena Gebel came on a two-master named "Profethen" with 80 passengers. We departed on June 9, but hardly 200 yards out of the harbor we had to stay still for 3 days without getting any ship provisions. Hence we had to live on our own money, there was enough to buy but very expensive. From 13th on we sailed gently through the Canal."
(Next Part II, the sea voyage — )
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 3.
April 16, 2014
Businesses in Valley Falls in 1876
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
A trip through the Valley Falls Historical Society files reveals the view from a business standpoint of Grasshopper Falls (legally Valley Falls by legislative action — 1875) through the eyes of the Kansas New Era April 15, 1876, our nation's centennial year.
"It's manufactories — markets — trade and future prospects — a live town and live businessmen — the spring lookout for the centennial year.
"Valley Falls is conceded to be the commercial center of Jefferson County. Her situtation at the crossing of A.T.&S.F. and K.C. railroads gives railroad connections from every point of the compass and by competing lines gives her better freight lines than any other point in the county. The same reasons give better shipping facilities than are possessed by any other point in the county. These facts enable her businessmen to pay more for produce and sell goods cheaper than any other point not similarly situated.
"These advantages have been accepted by our businessmen so that a better market for better prices for produce has been found at Valley Falls during the last six months than any other town in the state. Goods have been held at bedrock prices so that a load of corn will buy more goods at Valley Falls than at any other town in the state.
"The advantages mentioned will continue to be ours for all time, and if the present liberal policy of our businessmen toward the farmer is continued, our continued prosperity is assured! That the world at large may understand more fully our advantages, we will mention briefly our businessmen and tell what they do.
"First in importance, our water powers — Two in number, one is improved by a flouring mill and woolen mill owned by J. M. Piazzek, Oak Hill Mills — built by Legler and Hefty in 1874 — have a capacity of 100 bushels of grain per hour and manufacture of flour that is making these gentlemen a reputation at home and abroad;
"Wagon, carriage, and smith- shops carried on by S.H. Dunn, V.P. Newman and Nolker, and Schumacher. Harness manufacturing represented by shops of J.J. Winterburg and John Ready;
"Family groceries, A. Frazier and Louis Lutt; drugs and medicines, A.A. Coy and S.A. McDaniel; agricultural implements, Strickland & Bliss, Coulter & Moyer, Trowbridge & Wood, and J. Beland; cabinet making and furniture, D.Y. Gallison & S. F. Coulter;
"Millinery, notions, dressmaking, etc., Mrs. McCartney, Mrs. Mounds, Mrs. Meyer, and the Misses Steele; photographic artists, Cobb & Shirk; city barber, Geo. Lewis; jeweler, watchmaker, H. Shellburg; bakery, Mrs. Baldwin;
"Hotels, Cataract House, Octagon, and The Broadway; livery stables, Sprague & Wood and Thos. Coulter; the Michigan Lumber Yard; Banking institutions, Valley Bank and Savings and Hicks, Gephart & Co.
"They are accommodating gentlemen and safe men to do business with.
"From the Editor: In our haste we may have omitted many important items, but our aim being to show Valley Falls from a business point of view and to show the dependent relations existing between our city and the rich country surrounding it. We think that sufficient has been mentioned for the present purpose and that our readers will all realize that we are a necessity to each other and by cooperation on the part of town and country the prospects that look so prosperous with the opening this centennial spring, will continue to brighten."
The Valley Falls Historical Society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19.
A trip through the Valley Falls Historical Society files reveals the view from a business standpoint of Grasshopper Falls (legally Valley Falls by legislative action — 1875) through the eyes of the Kansas New Era April 15, 1876, our nation's centennial year.
"It's manufactories — markets — trade and future prospects — a live town and live businessmen — the spring lookout for the centennial year.
"Valley Falls is conceded to be the commercial center of Jefferson County. Her situtation at the crossing of A.T.&S.F. and K.C. railroads gives railroad connections from every point of the compass and by competing lines gives her better freight lines than any other point in the county. The same reasons give better shipping facilities than are possessed by any other point in the county. These facts enable her businessmen to pay more for produce and sell goods cheaper than any other point not similarly situated.
"These advantages have been accepted by our businessmen so that a better market for better prices for produce has been found at Valley Falls during the last six months than any other town in the state. Goods have been held at bedrock prices so that a load of corn will buy more goods at Valley Falls than at any other town in the state.
"The advantages mentioned will continue to be ours for all time, and if the present liberal policy of our businessmen toward the farmer is continued, our continued prosperity is assured! That the world at large may understand more fully our advantages, we will mention briefly our businessmen and tell what they do.
"First in importance, our water powers — Two in number, one is improved by a flouring mill and woolen mill owned by J. M. Piazzek, Oak Hill Mills — built by Legler and Hefty in 1874 — have a capacity of 100 bushels of grain per hour and manufacture of flour that is making these gentlemen a reputation at home and abroad;
"Wagon, carriage, and smith- shops carried on by S.H. Dunn, V.P. Newman and Nolker, and Schumacher. Harness manufacturing represented by shops of J.J. Winterburg and John Ready;
"Family groceries, A. Frazier and Louis Lutt; drugs and medicines, A.A. Coy and S.A. McDaniel; agricultural implements, Strickland & Bliss, Coulter & Moyer, Trowbridge & Wood, and J. Beland; cabinet making and furniture, D.Y. Gallison & S. F. Coulter;
"Millinery, notions, dressmaking, etc., Mrs. McCartney, Mrs. Mounds, Mrs. Meyer, and the Misses Steele; photographic artists, Cobb & Shirk; city barber, Geo. Lewis; jeweler, watchmaker, H. Shellburg; bakery, Mrs. Baldwin;
"Hotels, Cataract House, Octagon, and The Broadway; livery stables, Sprague & Wood and Thos. Coulter; the Michigan Lumber Yard; Banking institutions, Valley Bank and Savings and Hicks, Gephart & Co.
"They are accommodating gentlemen and safe men to do business with.
"From the Editor: In our haste we may have omitted many important items, but our aim being to show Valley Falls from a business point of view and to show the dependent relations existing between our city and the rich country surrounding it. We think that sufficient has been mentioned for the present purpose and that our readers will all realize that we are a necessity to each other and by cooperation on the part of town and country the prospects that look so prosperous with the opening this centennial spring, will continue to brighten."
The Valley Falls Historical Society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19.
April 10, 2014
Kemper family featured in museum window display
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum window display depicting local banking history and its relation to the Kansas City Kemper banking giants will continue through April.
The window scene, featuring the Kemper family history and photos of Valley Falls bankers, banks, replicas of banking years' checks, etc., was prompted by the death of R. Crosby Kemper Jr. in January 2014.
R. Crosby Kemper Jr., great-grandson of Rufus Crosby, pioneer merchant and banker of Grasshopper-Valley Falls, Kan. The window scene of family portraits and facts serves as a reminder that Mr. Kemper's roots and legacy began in the pre-Civil War time frame.
Quoting the Kansas City Star: "When two brothers with Scot heritage, from Maine, Rufus Crosby and brother William first came to Kansas to buy dry goods they eventually settled in Grasshopper-Valley Falls.
"Mr. R. Crosby Kemper has been described as a towering personality (6 ft. 7 in.), banker, philanthropist, Kansas City civic and arts booster. For 30 years he led United Missouri Bank Financial Corp. succeeding his father. He grew the family bank into a regional power with billions in loans and assets. Since 2004, UMB has been in the hands of his son, the sixth Kemper to lead the bank."
R. Crosby Kemper was 86 at the time of his death.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 12.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum window display depicting local banking history and its relation to the Kansas City Kemper banking giants will continue through April.
The window scene, featuring the Kemper family history and photos of Valley Falls bankers, banks, replicas of banking years' checks, etc., was prompted by the death of R. Crosby Kemper Jr. in January 2014.
R. Crosby Kemper Jr., great-grandson of Rufus Crosby, pioneer merchant and banker of Grasshopper-Valley Falls, Kan. The window scene of family portraits and facts serves as a reminder that Mr. Kemper's roots and legacy began in the pre-Civil War time frame.
Quoting the Kansas City Star: "When two brothers with Scot heritage, from Maine, Rufus Crosby and brother William first came to Kansas to buy dry goods they eventually settled in Grasshopper-Valley Falls.
"Mr. R. Crosby Kemper has been described as a towering personality (6 ft. 7 in.), banker, philanthropist, Kansas City civic and arts booster. For 30 years he led United Missouri Bank Financial Corp. succeeding his father. He grew the family bank into a regional power with billions in loans and assets. Since 2004, UMB has been in the hands of his son, the sixth Kemper to lead the bank."
R. Crosby Kemper was 86 at the time of his death.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 12.
April 07, 2014
1913: curfew, New Century Block refurbishment, new hitching racks
Continuing the sundry of news items from the "65 Years Ago" column (1978) of The Valley Falls Vindicator compiled by the late Edith Harden. All are 1913 events:
Nov. 17: "At the council meeting Tuesday night Councilman DeLorme called attention to an almost forgotten ordinance — the curfew, which prohibits all minors under the age of 18 from loitering along the streets, alleys, or public grounds of the city between the hours of 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.
"The ordinance provided that the marshal shall arrest all minors found violating the ordinance and take him or her to their parent or guardian.
"The fire bell will ring eight slow taps at eight o'clock as a warning for minors to be on their way home."
Nov. 25: "Eleven jack rabbits were caught by the four grey hounds out Swabville way one day the first of the week. A large crowd witnessed from the top of a straw stack or other high profile points the several fine chases. They went out in buggies, automobiles, or on horseback. Bert McClure handled a score or more of the sightseers on his motor truck.
"It is reported that Amp Delk and Miss Minnie Booth were married in Topeka Wednesday.
"When harnessing a horse the other day, Marion Webster out Rock Creek way was kicked on the head and nose when a hog ran under and frightened his horse. Marion was stooping to buckle the belly band when the hog rushed in and started the horse kicking. The inward stroke stunned him and threw him under the horse's lively feet. Marion was rescued by his father, Ezra. Dr. J.M. Marks gave the necessary treatment and the 'butinsky' hog escaped without a scratch."
Dec. 12: "The work of rebuilding the New Century Block goes on with the store rooms one and two in the hands of plasterer Casper Stein. The contract for rooms three and four were let to Mort Burris. Johnny Dodge is busy crushing rock for the rear cement walls.
"The front will be of new brick and glass. It will be two stories as before. The Delaware Lumber Co. will furnish the material. Elmer Lewis will install a new and up-to-date three chair barber shop in Room 4. Lewis "Dutch" declares it will be the finest in the county when he gets it furnished.
"Everybody noticed the advantage of having the hitch racks on the side streets last Saturday. It was a pleasure to be able to drive up to the curbing and place on main street with wagon or buggy, unload the produce and the women and children right on the walk without getting in the mud.
"After two weeks in the garage on account of the muddy roads, the automobiles are venturing out again."
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 22.
Nov. 17: "At the council meeting Tuesday night Councilman DeLorme called attention to an almost forgotten ordinance — the curfew, which prohibits all minors under the age of 18 from loitering along the streets, alleys, or public grounds of the city between the hours of 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.
"The ordinance provided that the marshal shall arrest all minors found violating the ordinance and take him or her to their parent or guardian.
"The fire bell will ring eight slow taps at eight o'clock as a warning for minors to be on their way home."
Nov. 25: "Eleven jack rabbits were caught by the four grey hounds out Swabville way one day the first of the week. A large crowd witnessed from the top of a straw stack or other high profile points the several fine chases. They went out in buggies, automobiles, or on horseback. Bert McClure handled a score or more of the sightseers on his motor truck.
"It is reported that Amp Delk and Miss Minnie Booth were married in Topeka Wednesday.
"When harnessing a horse the other day, Marion Webster out Rock Creek way was kicked on the head and nose when a hog ran under and frightened his horse. Marion was stooping to buckle the belly band when the hog rushed in and started the horse kicking. The inward stroke stunned him and threw him under the horse's lively feet. Marion was rescued by his father, Ezra. Dr. J.M. Marks gave the necessary treatment and the 'butinsky' hog escaped without a scratch."
Dec. 12: "The work of rebuilding the New Century Block goes on with the store rooms one and two in the hands of plasterer Casper Stein. The contract for rooms three and four were let to Mort Burris. Johnny Dodge is busy crushing rock for the rear cement walls.
"The front will be of new brick and glass. It will be two stories as before. The Delaware Lumber Co. will furnish the material. Elmer Lewis will install a new and up-to-date three chair barber shop in Room 4. Lewis "Dutch" declares it will be the finest in the county when he gets it furnished.
"Everybody noticed the advantage of having the hitch racks on the side streets last Saturday. It was a pleasure to be able to drive up to the curbing and place on main street with wagon or buggy, unload the produce and the women and children right on the walk without getting in the mud.
"After two weeks in the garage on account of the muddy roads, the automobiles are venturing out again."
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 22.
March 15, 2014
New Century hotel block fire in 1913, and other fall 1913 events
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
A sundry of news items borrowed from the "65 Years Ago" column (1978) of the Valley Falls Vindicator files compiled by the late Edith Harden and found in a Valley Falls Historical Society scrapbook. All are 1913 events:
Sept. 12: Wm. Johannes, Nortonville, and Miss Rose Wunder, North Cedar, were married in Topeka Wednesday and went to Mr. Johannes's home in Nortonville on the evening train.
Sept. 19: Muddy Roads — The first in months muddy enough to keep the autos off the road more than 24 hours. (It was reported earlier Dr. Mann and family en route to the fair, encountered so much mud they were forced to return here without attending the fair).
The latest report of the state gives Valley Falls 1,231 and the only town in Jefferson County with a population of more than 1,000 people.
The second car load of coal was hauled to the school house this week. Ordinarily it takes about 120 tons of coal per year. (High school notes)
Oct. 10: This Friday is the day when the Panama Canal will be cut through from ocean to ocean. Listen for bombs and join in the celebration.
A fine new barber pole of latest design and newest stripes and colors, crowned with a whiteway electric bulb now adorns the front of the Norris Northside Tonsorial Parlors. It's smooth as are the shaves inside.
Oct. 24: New Century Hotel Block Burns — Unprecedented calamity — The worst ever suffered by Valley Falls. A mysterious fire at 3 a.m. Sunday wiped out $40,000 worth of property, including the principal business block of the city. It came at that bewitching hour when most people are deep in slumberland enjoying in full the Sunday morning sleep.
The alert fire workers were soon at work fighting against great odds as the fire had a big start before the full force of firemen could turn three streams of water on the fast-devouring flames. By half past three, nearly half the population was on the streets helping fight the fierce fire or watching it eat through the various rooms of the once pretentious hotel and business section. In destruction of that favorite doorway through which many thousand guests have passed, the name of the builder of the block, M.P. Hillyer or Hillyer House, cut in the capstone over the door, was lost in the debris.
From Hillyer, the block was owned by an Eastern company for years. Last year it was purchased by E.F. Wettig for $14,500, at a bargain.
Elmer Lewis will reopen his barber shop in Steffens Room next door to Norris' North Side (barber) Shop. It will be handy for the artists to exchange visits when business is quiet.
Burning out did not keep Nick Gahm, the baker, long out of business. Next day he bought the home bakery of J.J. VanDell and took immediate possession. He is in the same room he started here in business five or six years ago. Mr. VanDell returned to Oskaloosa. J.H. McNutt, grocer displaced by the fire, bought the Gerit Grocery and will be ready for business next Tuesday.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 15.
A sundry of news items borrowed from the "65 Years Ago" column (1978) of the Valley Falls Vindicator files compiled by the late Edith Harden and found in a Valley Falls Historical Society scrapbook. All are 1913 events:
Sept. 12: Wm. Johannes, Nortonville, and Miss Rose Wunder, North Cedar, were married in Topeka Wednesday and went to Mr. Johannes's home in Nortonville on the evening train.
Sept. 19: Muddy Roads — The first in months muddy enough to keep the autos off the road more than 24 hours. (It was reported earlier Dr. Mann and family en route to the fair, encountered so much mud they were forced to return here without attending the fair).
The latest report of the state gives Valley Falls 1,231 and the only town in Jefferson County with a population of more than 1,000 people.
The second car load of coal was hauled to the school house this week. Ordinarily it takes about 120 tons of coal per year. (High school notes)
Oct. 10: This Friday is the day when the Panama Canal will be cut through from ocean to ocean. Listen for bombs and join in the celebration.
A fine new barber pole of latest design and newest stripes and colors, crowned with a whiteway electric bulb now adorns the front of the Norris Northside Tonsorial Parlors. It's smooth as are the shaves inside.
Oct. 24: New Century Hotel Block Burns — Unprecedented calamity — The worst ever suffered by Valley Falls. A mysterious fire at 3 a.m. Sunday wiped out $40,000 worth of property, including the principal business block of the city. It came at that bewitching hour when most people are deep in slumberland enjoying in full the Sunday morning sleep.
The alert fire workers were soon at work fighting against great odds as the fire had a big start before the full force of firemen could turn three streams of water on the fast-devouring flames. By half past three, nearly half the population was on the streets helping fight the fierce fire or watching it eat through the various rooms of the once pretentious hotel and business section. In destruction of that favorite doorway through which many thousand guests have passed, the name of the builder of the block, M.P. Hillyer or Hillyer House, cut in the capstone over the door, was lost in the debris.
From Hillyer, the block was owned by an Eastern company for years. Last year it was purchased by E.F. Wettig for $14,500, at a bargain.
Elmer Lewis will reopen his barber shop in Steffens Room next door to Norris' North Side (barber) Shop. It will be handy for the artists to exchange visits when business is quiet.
Burning out did not keep Nick Gahm, the baker, long out of business. Next day he bought the home bakery of J.J. VanDell and took immediate possession. He is in the same room he started here in business five or six years ago. Mr. VanDell returned to Oskaloosa. J.H. McNutt, grocer displaced by the fire, bought the Gerit Grocery and will be ready for business next Tuesday.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 15.
March 04, 2014
Pioneer mill operator Joseph M. Piazzek (1834-1921)
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Nationally, February is the month for honoring the birth dates of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, the first and 16th United States presidents respectively, and not to be ignored, traditional Valentine's Day for flowers, candy, love cards, and gifts.
Locally, a pioneer, a long time citizen, one of the most prominent personalities in this part of Kansas, industrious, frugal, and a maker of history, were a few of the descriptions afforded Joseph Miller Piazzek, long time builder and operator of mills in Grasshopper Falls, Kan., and later Valley Falls. He deserves local honor and remembrance.
Born in the Novia Vauk-Kuz No (New Hammer) in the province of Protskow, Poland, Feb. 28, 1834, and died in Valley Falls, Jan. 20, 1921, he said himself he was born in a room separated from a flour mill by only a brick partition. He spent more than 60 years of his life in and about the various developments of mill ownership and power.
He came to America in 1854 and soon to Grasshopper Falls with less than 25 cents in his pocket. He found work helping to build a sawmill. In order to get wages, he had to take a one-fourth interest in the sawmill from his boss, Isaac Cody, father of Buffalo Bill.
Volumes could be written about Mr. Piazzek, his influence, his mills. He was responsible for developing use of water power. His mills were a complex, flour mills, stone mills, woolen mill, even a cotton gin. The cotton gin is now owned by the Kansas State Historical Society. Mr. Piazzek once sold one of his mills and used funds from the sales to pay the depositers of a bank that had failed while he was a leading head of that bank.
Mr. Piazzek was first married to Miss Melinda Minier, Feb. 14, 1862, and to this union two children, Minnie May and DeForest, were born. Minnie May died in 1885. Mrs. Piazzek died in 1872.
Piazzek married Miss Emma Kiebenstein in 1887. Three children born to this union were Edmund Paul, who died in early boyhood, Joseph M. Jr., and Edna Pauline. Mr. Piazzek visited his mill until a week before his death.
At age 82, he wrote, "I started here when I was 21 years old, worked like a tiger, made barrels of money, and now at 82 years, I have an idle woolen mill, an out-of-date oil mill, an idle flour mill, and still I see lots of money to be made if only I were able."
He died Jan. 20, 1921. The burial was in the family vault in Rose Hill Cemetery.
Happy Birthday, Joseph Piazzek, 180 years old!
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.
February 19, 2014
Museum windows reflect on Presidents Day
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
The Historical Society Museum window scenes celebrate Presidents Day with mega portraits of each president, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by military service flags. Our first and 16th president—each a wartime leader in his own lifetime—had hosts of stories and letters written to and about them as well as their own tales of personal experiences, many of which have been preserved reverently and historically, including heroics, personality traits, family, letters (critical and complimentary), etc. Copies from each with some comments from the authors include:
Mr. Washington was a popular subject for the artists. For example, the "Washington Crossing the Delaware" painting.
A personal trait: ice cream, a favorite dessert. He even had an ice house built near his Mount Vernon home so his wife, Martha, could serve ice cream to friends and family. The Washingtons also used the ice house to preserve meat and butter, chill wine and make ice cream. The ice house was located on a river bank about 75 yards from the Potomac. To store ice cream, Washington's slaves had to use chisels and axes to pull large chunks of ice from the frozen river during the winter time and haul them to the ice house for use throughout spring and summer.
During the nation's celebration of its 200th birthday, 1976, Mr. Washington was honored with a song whose opening words were "First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen."
One of Mr. Lincoln's many letters was a request for a Good Friday observance: "State of New Hampshire, Claremont, March 16, 1865 - To His Excellency, Abraham Lincoln - 'Honored Sir, I beg leave to express to you, the Chief Magistrate of our country, my earnest require and desire that if not inconsistent with your own views or with a decision already made, you will appoint Good Friday, the fourteenth day of April next, to be observed as a day of fasting and prayer throughout the United States. I have reason to believe that day would be agreeable to Christian people of all denominations. Having made this brief suggestion I beg to assure you of the high consideration with which I remain your Excellency's most obedient and trustful servant. Cariton Chase, Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire."
The president did not declare Good Friday of 1865 a national day of fasting and prayer. Instead, Lincoln went to the theater that night where he was assassinated.
The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Sat., Feb. 22.
The Historical Society Museum window scenes celebrate Presidents Day with mega portraits of each president, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by military service flags. Our first and 16th president—each a wartime leader in his own lifetime—had hosts of stories and letters written to and about them as well as their own tales of personal experiences, many of which have been preserved reverently and historically, including heroics, personality traits, family, letters (critical and complimentary), etc. Copies from each with some comments from the authors include:
Mr. Washington was a popular subject for the artists. For example, the "Washington Crossing the Delaware" painting.
A personal trait: ice cream, a favorite dessert. He even had an ice house built near his Mount Vernon home so his wife, Martha, could serve ice cream to friends and family. The Washingtons also used the ice house to preserve meat and butter, chill wine and make ice cream. The ice house was located on a river bank about 75 yards from the Potomac. To store ice cream, Washington's slaves had to use chisels and axes to pull large chunks of ice from the frozen river during the winter time and haul them to the ice house for use throughout spring and summer.
During the nation's celebration of its 200th birthday, 1976, Mr. Washington was honored with a song whose opening words were "First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen."
One of Mr. Lincoln's many letters was a request for a Good Friday observance: "State of New Hampshire, Claremont, March 16, 1865 - To His Excellency, Abraham Lincoln - 'Honored Sir, I beg leave to express to you, the Chief Magistrate of our country, my earnest require and desire that if not inconsistent with your own views or with a decision already made, you will appoint Good Friday, the fourteenth day of April next, to be observed as a day of fasting and prayer throughout the United States. I have reason to believe that day would be agreeable to Christian people of all denominations. Having made this brief suggestion I beg to assure you of the high consideration with which I remain your Excellency's most obedient and trustful servant. Cariton Chase, Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire."
The president did not declare Good Friday of 1865 a national day of fasting and prayer. Instead, Lincoln went to the theater that night where he was assassinated.
The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Sat., Feb. 22.
February 13, 2014
Christmas 1885 - Treats for children, but a bloody lip for Mr. Crosby
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
A sundry of events reported by the Dec. 31, 1885, Valley Falls New Era, bear proof the year ended on a limited note of cheer, a questionable New Year's resolution, and a violent argument between prominent city officials.
Details are "Simons is said to be running his saloon on a bigger and bolder scale than ever. He sells beer and whiskey and deals them out by their right names. His argument is that he expects to be convicted and fined and he wants — perhaps resolved? — to make enough money to see him through the squabble.
"A.G. Patrick had a handsome and well-filled Christmas tree at his residence Christmas Eve. He invited in all the poor children in the neighborhood and each one of them got one or more presents from the tree, and Patrick very delightfully entertained the little fellows with the story of Santa Claus, assuming the role himself.
"Assault on Mr. Crosby — Bad blood over a whiskey war came to a head on Christmas Day when R.H. Crosby was smitten in the mouth by the city marshal, Jasper Boles, knocking loose one of Mr. Crosby's front teeth and cutting his lip so that the blood flowed quite freely.
"The circumstances are briefly these: Mr. Boles, during the past summer and fall has been residing in the Lutt house of which Mr. Crosby is agent. At the time of the defeat of Mr. Boles for sheriff, he was considerably behind on his rent and when solicited by Crosby to pay up, said, 'I am D.....D hard up, but will pay soon if I have to sell my watch!' So, matters stood until Mr. Crosby gave him a legal written notice to vacate the premises. To this Mr. Boles paid no attention and continued to 'hold the fort' without coming forward with the rent.
"This was the status of the case when, on Christmas Day, as Mr. Crosby was passing Coy's Drugstore, he noticed Mr. Boles going in. Mr. Crosby followed him and calling him back from the crowd, asked him if he had moved out of the house. To this Mr. Boles responded that his mother was sick. Mr. Crosby accepted this as reasonable excuse for not vacating, but censured him severely for dead beating the Lutt Estate out of the rent. Mr. Boles got very angry and said to Crosby, 'If you give me any more of your lip, I will hit you.'
"To this challenge, Mr. Crosby merely responded, 'Jap, do you consider this doing the honorable thing?' Mr. Boles at once bringing his hand around and smiting Mr. Crosby full in the mouth, Boles instantly drawing back and making a motion to grasp his revolver from his hip pocket.
"Mr. Crosby offered no resistance. Since there was no officer present, Mr. Crosby proceeded to the office of Police Judge Simpson and had Mr. Boles arrested and bound over for the sum of $50 and for trial set the next day.
"At 9 a.m., the trial was short and sweet. Mr. L.A. Myers, Boles' attorney, making a short plea for court leniency and Mr. Crosby's attorney, G.W. McCammon, never opening his mouth. Mr. Boles was fined $15 and costs, which he seemed very well satisfied to pay."
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.
A sundry of events reported by the Dec. 31, 1885, Valley Falls New Era, bear proof the year ended on a limited note of cheer, a questionable New Year's resolution, and a violent argument between prominent city officials.
Details are "Simons is said to be running his saloon on a bigger and bolder scale than ever. He sells beer and whiskey and deals them out by their right names. His argument is that he expects to be convicted and fined and he wants — perhaps resolved? — to make enough money to see him through the squabble.
"A.G. Patrick had a handsome and well-filled Christmas tree at his residence Christmas Eve. He invited in all the poor children in the neighborhood and each one of them got one or more presents from the tree, and Patrick very delightfully entertained the little fellows with the story of Santa Claus, assuming the role himself.
"Assault on Mr. Crosby — Bad blood over a whiskey war came to a head on Christmas Day when R.H. Crosby was smitten in the mouth by the city marshal, Jasper Boles, knocking loose one of Mr. Crosby's front teeth and cutting his lip so that the blood flowed quite freely.
"The circumstances are briefly these: Mr. Boles, during the past summer and fall has been residing in the Lutt house of which Mr. Crosby is agent. At the time of the defeat of Mr. Boles for sheriff, he was considerably behind on his rent and when solicited by Crosby to pay up, said, 'I am D.....D hard up, but will pay soon if I have to sell my watch!' So, matters stood until Mr. Crosby gave him a legal written notice to vacate the premises. To this Mr. Boles paid no attention and continued to 'hold the fort' without coming forward with the rent.
"This was the status of the case when, on Christmas Day, as Mr. Crosby was passing Coy's Drugstore, he noticed Mr. Boles going in. Mr. Crosby followed him and calling him back from the crowd, asked him if he had moved out of the house. To this Mr. Boles responded that his mother was sick. Mr. Crosby accepted this as reasonable excuse for not vacating, but censured him severely for dead beating the Lutt Estate out of the rent. Mr. Boles got very angry and said to Crosby, 'If you give me any more of your lip, I will hit you.'
"To this challenge, Mr. Crosby merely responded, 'Jap, do you consider this doing the honorable thing?' Mr. Boles at once bringing his hand around and smiting Mr. Crosby full in the mouth, Boles instantly drawing back and making a motion to grasp his revolver from his hip pocket.
"Mr. Crosby offered no resistance. Since there was no officer present, Mr. Crosby proceeded to the office of Police Judge Simpson and had Mr. Boles arrested and bound over for the sum of $50 and for trial set the next day.
"At 9 a.m., the trial was short and sweet. Mr. L.A. Myers, Boles' attorney, making a short plea for court leniency and Mr. Crosby's attorney, G.W. McCammon, never opening his mouth. Mr. Boles was fined $15 and costs, which he seemed very well satisfied to pay."
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.
January 29, 2014
Reflections of Jefferson County, Grasshopper Falls in 1859
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
January, when the babe of the new year bids farewell to the old, ushers in a time of resolutions, predictions, hopes and dreams, hoards mysteries of the future, and prompts periods of reflection, personal or otherwise.
A century and a half ago, the Crescent (news), Grasshopper Falls, Kansas territory, January 8, 1859, reflected on Jefferson County and associate towns' growth progress.
Quote: "We have often heard it remarked by those well acquainted with this territory (Kansas) that no inland county within its limits could surpass our own, in the fertility of soil, its general advantages, or the enterprise of its farmers. . . after several jaunts to different points, in no other county do we find as many flourishing towns, as many churches, and schoolhouses, unless it be those bordering on the river.
"Grasshopper Falls, a town well known in the earliest history of this territory and one which bids fair to become one of its largest and thriving towns and which is destined to be the most prominent point in the contemplated railroad, from St. Joseph to Topeka, is situated in the northeastern part of the county and in the most thickly populated portion. It has two mills, lumber and flour, three large stores, one church, and two schools. The ring of the smith's anvil and pounding of the carpenter's hammer daily heard.
"We predict that those who visit Grasshopper Falls five years from today will wonder at the growth as much as those who visit this site today wonder over the unimproved prairie site three years ago.
"Oskaloosa, the present county seat, also a flourishing town, is situated in the southeast part of the county adjoining the Delaware Reservation, will gain additional importance when the reserve is open to settlers. Winchester, Osawkee, Hickory Point, and Fairfield are also thriving rapidly.
"To those who seek for home in the far west, no place offers greater inducements than the territory (Kansas) and no county in it better than this (Jefferson)."
Source: April 1981, Yesteryears.
The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.
January, when the babe of the new year bids farewell to the old, ushers in a time of resolutions, predictions, hopes and dreams, hoards mysteries of the future, and prompts periods of reflection, personal or otherwise.
A century and a half ago, the Crescent (news), Grasshopper Falls, Kansas territory, January 8, 1859, reflected on Jefferson County and associate towns' growth progress.
Quote: "We have often heard it remarked by those well acquainted with this territory (Kansas) that no inland county within its limits could surpass our own, in the fertility of soil, its general advantages, or the enterprise of its farmers. . . after several jaunts to different points, in no other county do we find as many flourishing towns, as many churches, and schoolhouses, unless it be those bordering on the river.
"Grasshopper Falls, a town well known in the earliest history of this territory and one which bids fair to become one of its largest and thriving towns and which is destined to be the most prominent point in the contemplated railroad, from St. Joseph to Topeka, is situated in the northeastern part of the county and in the most thickly populated portion. It has two mills, lumber and flour, three large stores, one church, and two schools. The ring of the smith's anvil and pounding of the carpenter's hammer daily heard.
"We predict that those who visit Grasshopper Falls five years from today will wonder at the growth as much as those who visit this site today wonder over the unimproved prairie site three years ago.
"Oskaloosa, the present county seat, also a flourishing town, is situated in the southeast part of the county adjoining the Delaware Reservation, will gain additional importance when the reserve is open to settlers. Winchester, Osawkee, Hickory Point, and Fairfield are also thriving rapidly.
"To those who seek for home in the far west, no place offers greater inducements than the territory (Kansas) and no county in it better than this (Jefferson)."
Source: April 1981, Yesteryears.
The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.
January 07, 2014
Rufus Crosby's in-laws, the Kendalls, celebrate 50th anniversary
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Rufus H. Crosby, native of Maine, came to Kansas in 1855 after a short sojourn in Minneapolis. In company with his brother, William, they opened the first merchandising store in Grasshopper Falls. They erected a building on the corner of Louisa and Sycamore streets.
Despite setbacks, he continued in the mercantile business. It has been said, "To strike out the name and interests of Rufus H. Crosby from the history of Valley Falls would destroy the fabric of that history."
After the years in the mercantile business, he assumed the proprietorship of the Valley Falls Bank of Deposit.
On April 13, 1862, he married Miss Nettie Kendall at the bride's home in Hamden, Maine, the daughter of Johnathan and Dollie Kendall.
To this union was born Lottie, their only child. Mr. Crosby was well known as a politician, successful banker, religious leader and pioneer in town, state and Jefferson County.
On April 15, 1888, Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Kendall celebrated the 50th anniversary of the marriage. Among the guests from Kansas were Mr. and Mrs. Rufus H. Crosby and their daughter Lottie.
After the presentation of many gifts, piano solo, poems, etc. in honor of the occasion, Mr. Crosby addressed the Kendalls in his own inimitable manner proving his versatility as a sentimentalist and a devoted son-in-law in his tribute to his wife's parents.
Following are excerpts from his tribute: "As permancy of this marriage is the cornerstone of home, the church, and all good government, it is well and eminently desirable that we properly magnify every fifty years stretch. Life, at best is brief and eternity is beyond our comprehension, so let us today with cordial greeting and good cheer, make the most of this very interesting and happy event.
"We wish you great joy. The past is safe and full of satisfaction; the future secure. The combination in your case has proved a success. On one side, the sturdy, sterling, solid qualities of the husband and father and on the other the warm-hearted, model housewife and true mother.
"We especially rejoice with you that it was possible for all your children now living to be present, together with so large a number of your brothers and sisters with their children.
"Our joy is saddened that three of nine chairs around your family board are vacant. Ruth, your first born— Lydia, a brave-hearted girl— and Melvina in far away Kansas where she now sleeps on the wind swept prairie.
"During these fifty years what wonderful achievements have been attained in science and mechanics. It has been literally an age of steam and jerked lightning.
"You have witnessed the terrible struggle between the North and South. You have seen the wild desert plains of Kansas become a famous growing state capable of producing meat and grain enough not only feed herself, but all New England too.
"We know that we voice the sincere and hearty sentiment of all your guests in expressing the wish that you may both be spared many years to reap the remunerations of a green old age."
The Historical Society Museum will open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11.
Rufus H. Crosby, native of Maine, came to Kansas in 1855 after a short sojourn in Minneapolis. In company with his brother, William, they opened the first merchandising store in Grasshopper Falls. They erected a building on the corner of Louisa and Sycamore streets.
Despite setbacks, he continued in the mercantile business. It has been said, "To strike out the name and interests of Rufus H. Crosby from the history of Valley Falls would destroy the fabric of that history."
After the years in the mercantile business, he assumed the proprietorship of the Valley Falls Bank of Deposit.
On April 13, 1862, he married Miss Nettie Kendall at the bride's home in Hamden, Maine, the daughter of Johnathan and Dollie Kendall.
To this union was born Lottie, their only child. Mr. Crosby was well known as a politician, successful banker, religious leader and pioneer in town, state and Jefferson County.
On April 15, 1888, Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Kendall celebrated the 50th anniversary of the marriage. Among the guests from Kansas were Mr. and Mrs. Rufus H. Crosby and their daughter Lottie.
After the presentation of many gifts, piano solo, poems, etc. in honor of the occasion, Mr. Crosby addressed the Kendalls in his own inimitable manner proving his versatility as a sentimentalist and a devoted son-in-law in his tribute to his wife's parents.
Following are excerpts from his tribute: "As permancy of this marriage is the cornerstone of home, the church, and all good government, it is well and eminently desirable that we properly magnify every fifty years stretch. Life, at best is brief and eternity is beyond our comprehension, so let us today with cordial greeting and good cheer, make the most of this very interesting and happy event.
"We wish you great joy. The past is safe and full of satisfaction; the future secure. The combination in your case has proved a success. On one side, the sturdy, sterling, solid qualities of the husband and father and on the other the warm-hearted, model housewife and true mother.
"We especially rejoice with you that it was possible for all your children now living to be present, together with so large a number of your brothers and sisters with their children.
"Our joy is saddened that three of nine chairs around your family board are vacant. Ruth, your first born— Lydia, a brave-hearted girl— and Melvina in far away Kansas where she now sleeps on the wind swept prairie.
"During these fifty years what wonderful achievements have been attained in science and mechanics. It has been literally an age of steam and jerked lightning.
"You have witnessed the terrible struggle between the North and South. You have seen the wild desert plains of Kansas become a famous growing state capable of producing meat and grain enough not only feed herself, but all New England too.
"We know that we voice the sincere and hearty sentiment of all your guests in expressing the wish that you may both be spared many years to reap the remunerations of a green old age."
The Historical Society Museum will open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11.
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