1909 events, professional listing and Masonic Lodge 50th anniversary

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

Daily news, special events, history, professionals, and incidentals reported by the 1909 Valley Falls Farmers Vindicator:

Jan. 22, "There will be an oyster supper at Gragg's Chapel Tuesday evening, Jan. 26. Everybody invited. Ethel Ferrell.
"Miss Anna Falls has accepted a position as chief operator with the Nortonville Telephone Co. at a good salary."

Feb. 5, "I have opened a photo studio in the first building south of Kendall State Bank and would appreciate a share of your patronage. G. A. Fowble.
"Marks & Marks, G.W. Marks, D.D.S. and J.M. Marks, M.D. Office upstairs in Legler Bldg.

" 'To My Patrons. After 20 years in Valley Falls, I have found it to our mutual advantage to keep abreast of the times and have established a small but complete hospital in connection to my office . . . for surgical and emergency cases. This does not mean that I will neglect my general practice but make it more effective. I shall continue to look after my country calls. I have no partners and shall conduct my business in the future as I have in the past, myself. The hospital will be ready for patients about March 1909 and will be open to all reputable doctors and their patients when there is room.' M.F. Marks

"Dr. Al D. Lowry, physician and surgeon. G.H. Bobson, physician and surgeon, office in the Dr. Marks corner property.

"Dr. B.H. Braden, dentist, office over Corner Drug Store.

"Dr. L.R. Walker, veterinary, surgeon, horse dentistry a specialty. Office at Gardiner's livery barn.

"W.H. Hilderbrand, barber shop next to Marsh & Falls Cigar Factory.

"T. K. Aitken, D.D.S., Aitken Bldg., upstairs."

Feb. 12, "W.F. Swearingen, the optician of Topeka, has decided to make regular weekly visits to Valley Falls commencing Saturday, Feb. 20, and make his headquarters at Hauck's Department Store."

May 21, "For a picnic or fishing trip, take a case of pop along. The Valley Falls Bottling Works will furnish it fresh."

June 11, "F.M. Clarke, a veterinary surgeon, has concluded to locate here and will be found at Clarke's Cafe."

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 Mill Wednesday morning. About 100 sheep got away and were rounded up by Chas. McAfee. No lives were lost."

Oct. 8, "Alice Gardiner, the photographer of Valley Falls, again won honors in the Photographers' Association of Kansas City Sept. 28, 29, and 30, being awarded another first prize for the best night photos of children."

Oct. 22, "Mason's Celebrate 50th Anniversary. Fifty years ago on the 18th of this month the Most Grand Lodge of the Territory of Kansas issued a charter to Valley Falls Lodge No. 21, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and those responding to invitations sent to representatives from sister lodges in this county and at Denison assembled at the opera house Monday evening to commemorate that event . . . Dr. J.T.B. Gephart was introduced and told some of the early history of the lodge, including the story of a public installation held in '66 when a brass band was brought from Lawrence by stage and a $125 supper was served. The installation was held in the old Congregational Church and, while services were in progress, a 'norther' came up and, from a warm drizzly afternoon, the mercury dropped until, it is said, that those at the church went home on frozen ground and ice.

"A dance was held in the evening at the Octagon Hotel, but as no provision had been made for such wintry weather, only 39 tickets were sold at a price of $4 each."

The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 20.

April/May/Memorial weekend museum visitors

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

April and May visitors to the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum, including the Memorial Day holiday weekend, were:

Craig Woods, Tucson, Ariz.; Scott Ferrell, Castro Valley, Calif.; Phil Haas, Arvada, Colo.; Kris Olwell, Shasburg, Colo.; Carol and John Steffen, Low Point, Ill.; Joanne Ferrell Lewellen, Excelsior, Minn.; Joe and Margaret Frakes, Mt. Dora of the Lake, Fla.; Sullivans (party of five), Weston, Mo.; Larita Castro McLian, Lincoln, Neb.; Dennis Ferrell, Stillwater, Okla.; Gary Ferrell, Tulsa, Okla.; Brad and Tennia Brown, Austin, Texas; Gracie Pratt Clement, Galveston-Houston, Texas; Sue Welborn, Chandler, Texas;

Jerry Walters, Bonner Springs; Carol Irwin Ostaeth, Burlingame; Fred Freeland, Eudora; Elizabeth Ferrell Banks, Kansas City; Krisi Meid, Lansing; Bradia Kelley Johnson and Pat Yehle, Lawrence; Erin and Rylen Frecks, Lawrence; Erin Sack, Leavenworth; Ken and Melinda Heuertz, Manhattan; Nancy Noble and friend, Mayetta; Joshua and Samuel Broxterman, Meriden; Jim and Debbie Ferrell and grand-daughters, and Allison Ferrel Banks, all Mission Hills;

Jeremy Melvin, Onaga; Woods (party of five), Osage City; Dick and Kathy Sheldon, Ottawa; Gwen Towle (Marlene Reichart), Overland Park; Mathias Moore, Michelle Moore, Mackenzie Greene, Angalina Hall, A.J. Hall, and Abby Herferbeim, all of Ozawkie; Becky Duncan, Linda Blackburn, Barbara Blocher, Bob and Nancy Rollins, Shirley Allen, Larry and Pat McClenny Nix, and Lois Beames, all of Topeka;

Bryanna Willhoite, Rose Miller, Keith Jackson, Grace Conser, Ann Conser, Lauren Conser, Wesley Conser, Lyndia Uhner, Rick and Tamie Ferrell, Kay Gibbens, Megan Ryan, Roxie Barton, Pat Herring, Karen Botkin, Mary Herring, and Linda Baum, all Valley Falls.

The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 13.