Oskaloosa's "Petticoat Government"

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president, Valley Falls Historial Society

From the files of the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum, a souvenir booklet in honor of the Jefferson County Centennial, 1855 to 1955, held at our neighbor town and county seat, Oskaloosa, Aug. 14, 17, 18, 19, and 20, 1955.

Among the treasure of photos and stories of the towns and cities of Jefferson County is a story, the "Petticoat Government in Oskaloosa," a frequently repeated fact, familiar to some generations and new to younger groups.

The following is quoted from the booklet —
"PETTICOAT GOVERNMENT
The election of a woman mayor and five councilwomen by the city of Oskaloosa in April of 1888 was news both in the United States and in foreign countries. Eastern newspapers made considerable note of it. It was also written up in British and continental newspapers. Congratulatory messages came from far away New Zealand.

"Local citizens who were more or less ashamed of the shortcomings of previous administrations thought up the idea of a woman-governing body. Election result: 3 to 1 for the ladies. They were Mrs. Mary D. Lowman, Mayor, 49; Councilwomen: Mrs. Hannah Morse, 45; Mrs. Emma Hamilton, 39; Mrs. Sadie Balsley, 36; Mrs. Mittie Golden, 31; and Mrs. Carrie Johnson, 23.

"State and national press had to have their fun: 'First business was to show under a motion to limit debate to five minutes on any motion . . .' 'An Oskaloosa man is offering a premium for six live mice.'

"Here are some of the reforms accomplished by the women governing body: A Sunday closing act. A curfew law. Anti-expectorating on sidewalk. New sidewalks ordered to be installed. (Town's richest citizen demurred, so the council ordered his walk laid and charged his taxes. The women withstood two lawsuits successfully.) The council purchased a street grader. Streets were widened, straightened, cleaned. Gasoline street lights replaced old coal oil lamps. A pound was built to keep up stray livestock. Moral suasion and shame was used to accomplish better keeping up of cows, pigs, and chickens. Prohibition law was enforced for the first time since its passage in 1880.

"All but two of the group stood for re-election and easily won out. A local Farmers Alliance worked up this tune in compliment of the Oskaloosa council:
"We have a lady council and a lady mayor, too—
We are pleased with our officials and we trust 'tis so with you.
We think they all are handsome and know they are true blue,
As they go marching on!"

'Suicidal mania' in the 1880s and 1890s

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

The Valley Falls New Era, dated May 27, 1893, quoted the following headlines and excerpts from a printed sermon by the Rev. James Lawrence the previous Sunday.

"The Suicidal Mania in Valley Falls, Kan."

"What is the cause of the suicidal mania in Valley Falls and vicinity? Fifteen or 20 victims in as many years. Is this simply an incident, a disgression, or is there a cause for this mania?

"The old axiom 'Every effect must have a cause' is true here as elsewhere. The mania for self-destruction is a mania that is unpleasant to contemplate, horrible in its mode, and awful in its frequency. Can we find the cause? Let us look, we may find some of them, perhaps the principle ones."

Suicides reported from 1890 to 1895 included the following:

Oct. 25, 1890 — "I.W. McCulley takes the Morphine Route."
"About noon he told his son he did not feel well and would lie down and try to sleep. Later in the day he was found. He had ended his own life. Mr. McCulley had been unfortunate in business and otherwise. He was 49 years old, leaving a wife and three children."

The New Era, Oct. 15, 1892 — "Just as we were going to press, we learn the dead (sic) body of Paul Krumery, a barber, was found in the river under the bridge, near Piazzek's Mill."

Valley Falls New Era, March 11, 1893, headlines — "George Lewis Dead," with the following story:
"He cut his throat with the blade of a pen knife. Wednesday morning, George Lewis, an old citizen of this place, and who has run the barbershop formerly owned by Paul Krumery, who committed suicide last fall, told his son Ed to take charge of the shop as he intended to take a rest from business. When he did not return home that day or night, a searching party consisting of Messrs. Dodd, Daniels, and Marsh, searched along the Northwestern Railroad Track and the river.

"Early Thursday morning, they discovered Mr. Lewis' body at a place near the river called 'Paw Paw Bend,' about one mile west of town. Mr. Lewis was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery."

This was the sixth time within a period of about three years that the Rev. A.M. Geiger was called upon to conduct services for persons who had died by their own hands.

Valley Falls New Era, May 20, 1892 — "Suicide Again."
"Our community has been startled by news of another suicide. Dr. J.S. Blackwood, our veterinary surgeon, was found by Geo. W. Williams lying in a manger in W.T. Kemper's barn. The weapon of death was a pocket knife with a blade about three inches long, which he used in his surgical work. He was apparently in the best of health and in the prime of life. No cause can be assigned for the rash act. Funeral services were held at the Christian Church, conducted by the Rev. James Lawrence. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery."

The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14.

Cries are heeded, town has museum (part 2)

310 Broadway Street, Valley Falls, present site of the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum, was originally the McCammon Building and housed a variety of merchants over the years, including Coy and Hutchins Clothiers, Doolittle, Gillespie, and List Hardware stores, Sam Strawn's law office, and in later years was used to film the movie, "Kansas," starring Matt Dillon and Andrew McCarthy. In 1988, the society purchased this building and created a museum.

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

The Town Crier's cries were heeded. In bold black print, the Jan. 21, 1988, Valley Falls Vindicator reported "Historical Society Buys Building for Museum" with the follow-up story.

"The Valley Falls Historical Society now has a place to call home. The deed has been recorded and the society is now the owner of the List Building at 310 Broadway.

"The finance committee has collected $27,000 and the former owner, Mary List, has received her asking price of $18,750. 'We still have some pledges and a few people to call on,' Greever Allan, chairman of the finance committee, said Monday night. 'I'm confident we will meet our goal.'

"Serving with him on the committee are Kay Lassiter and Art Strawn. The committee's goal is $30,000 with the money  above the purchase price to be used to renovate the building and prepare it to house a museum and library.

"Frank Shrimplin, president of the society, said members are now beginning to devise plans for opening the building to the public and building its membership. 

"Allan asked members to use the new building as a springboard to motivate growth in membership. He said churches, schools, clubs, and lodges are all sources of history and the town's past and should be represented. Upkeep and monthly expenses will be ongoing costs needing broader support.

"Lassiter placed emphasis on the education of children, stating the local school was putting Valley Falls history in the curriculum. She said the museum will be a great benefit for that and urged the society to open the Historical Shrine Church more often for tourists and community visitors.

"Strawn, the society's historian, said he believed the community would respond in greater numbers and that the building would provide sustance and identity."

"Anxious to open the doors, members will plan an open house in conjunction with Grasshopper Falls Day late in April, 1988."

The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7.