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.
April 30, 2014
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.
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