Happy 161st Birthday, Valley Falls

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VALLEY FALLS!
Dec. 25, 1854 — 2015, 161 years!

The following items and episodes are drived from a reprint in a 1938 Valley Falls Vindicator of history of Grasshopper Falls, written about 1884.

The historian stated,
"The history of the town begins in 1854 in February when Henry Zen (Senn) located at the falls on the Grasshopper River. He had a team of oxen, built a cabin, and even put up a haystack!"

Henry had planned to live indefinitely in this area; however, in the fall he was visited by a white man claiming to be an agent for the Indians who ordered him to leave the country. He moved east and joined a man named Mooney who lived on a creek that still bears his name.

The next settlement was established as of December 1854 when James Frazier, Robert Riddle, H.B. Jolley and A.J. Whitney turned west from Hickory Point from their trek on the military road seeking the falls on the Grasshopper River. On December 23, they discovered the falls, on December 24 moved the campsite near their falls, and started driving stakes for the town, claiming stakes December 25, 1854.

While driving stakes, locating boundries, and building a cabin, the searching party ran low on provisions, no ammunition for killing game, and no fishing gear for catching fish. Leaving Kiddle and Frazier to finish building and to guard their claims, Jolley and Whitney left for Weston, Mo., for fresh supplies. A trip supposed to take two days lasted 11. Much hunger and discomfort resulting at the campsite.

In the spring of 1855, the town was surveyed and named Grasshopper Falls. A company was organized to build a saw and grist mill. The members were James Frazier, Robert Riddle, A.J. Whitney, and Isaac Cody. Cody, father of noted buffalo hunter "Buffalo Bill Cody," was never a resident, but was elected to the legislature from Jefferson County.

Logs were cut and hauled and work began on the mill. The falls of the river were on hard limestone rock and on this the dam was built.

Although 1855 proved very active, the Jolley brothers became discouraged and and returned to Iowa.

A.J. Whitney was appointed postmaster for Grasshopper Falls, December 21, 1855. He remained a short time. He sold his claim to James H. Day for $16 and left the country. When here, he added much to the life of the new town. He is described as a jolly, whole-souled fellow, kind-hearted, and fond of his whiskey.

At the early day, there were a number of Indian camps near. Whitney always kept a demijohn (large narrow neck bottle, usually enclosed in wickerwork) of whiskey but would never let the Indians have any. One night the Indians stole it. At first, Whitney did not know what to do, but as he felt like having a drink before breakfast, he started out and stole a pony from this Indian chief, which he refused to give up until he got his demijohn back. After a while, the chief returned it, although about half of the whiskey was gone. Whitney then gave up the pony, took a drink, and went to breakfast.

In 1855, the town continued to grow. First some women, as Mrs. H.B. Jolley and the Stephen Dunn family. Mr. D.A. Blacksmith and Mrs., the second white woman. A series of "firsts," then as life flows.

The historian's 1884 view of Grasshopper/ Valley Falls:
"Valley Falls is a thriving and attractive town of about 1,300 population. It is pleasantly located on the gently sloping hillsides on the river bank of the Delaware River at the junction of the Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe and the Kansas Central railroads. The residence portion of the city is beautifully ornamented by fruit, shade, and evergreen trees. The residence lots are large and the houses neat and attractive. The business houses are large and well built. In the business section, on both sides of the street are large and handsome brick blocks. It is the metropolis of the county. Far exceeding any other within 175 limits in population and amount of business done.