First Memorial Day in Valley Falls, 1884

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

"One of the most auspicious events in the history of Valley Falls" reported R.E. Vanmeter, editor of the Valley Falls New Era June 5, 1884. The annual reminder of his story of that first Memorial Day, then known as Decoration Day, in Valley Falls follows:

"Last Friday a most beautiful day in Valley Falls, and one calculates to inspire the loftiest patriotism in the breasts of those who participated in the solemn but eminently fitting and beautiful ceremony of honoring the soldier and dead in a manner which has come to be an almost universal custom.

"Especially interesting was this event here because it is the first time in the history of the town that Decoration Day has been observed, which is accounted for by the fact that but two heroes of the last war are buried here.

"Early in the morning people began to gather into town from all parts of the surrounding country and by 1 o'clock, the hour set for meeting of the G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) headquarters, the town was alive with people, and as many as could crowd in, gathered into the G.A.R. hall, where special services took place, among which was the presentation of a handsome United States flag, presented to the post by the ladies of the city, many of whom are mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters of members of the Stafford Post.

"The presentation on behalf of the ladies was made by the writer and A.A. Griffin, the post commander, responded in a very stirring patriotic speech. Those congregated in the hall formed a procession and marched down to Broadway where the following order of the parade was arranged:

"City officers; Sunday schools; Capt. Lewis Stafford, Post No. 225, G.A.R.; Crescent Lodge No. 86; International Order of Odd Fellows; ACME Lodge No. 42; IOUW; Valley Lodge No. 67; KOFR; other societies, citizens on foot, carriages, and other conveyances.

"The following was the line of march to the cemetery: From corner of Broadway and Sycamore west to Elm Street; thence south to Mary; west to Frazier Avenue; south to cemetery where there on foot in the procession were drawn up in line on either side of a large beautiful floral cross, at the top of which and facing west, was a large card bearing the following inscription:

"In memory of Capt. Lewis Stafford, Lt. T.F. Jolly, Joseph Catt, Henry G. Griffin, Wm. Grigsby, Jonathan Myers, Calvin Turner, Joseph Hilty, Ernest Benedix.

"All of which had honor to enlist from this neighborhood, but only two of which now rest in the city of the dead here. Following prayer, ceremonies, tributes, floral grave decorations by posts and sabbath schools, ceremonies were concluded and crowd dispersed, terminating one of the most auspicious events in the history of Valley Falls."

The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 30.