Photo by Clarke Davis
May 15, 2012
New sign at the museum
Photo by Clarke Davis
Grads and vets honored in museum windows this month
— by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
The April window scene of the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum, featuring colorful nesting bird eggs nestled among branches of apple blossoms, creations of artist Susan Phillips, has been retired in favor of the current display honoring all Valley Falls graduates with emphasis on those of 2012.
School colors dominate with a scattering of small signs depicting diplomas and mortar boards, accompanied by enlarged photos of Valley Falls schools Number one and Number two, and an item of sports apparel.
The military window display remembers the sacrifices of men and women veterans, past and present, with miniature American flags and military company flags surrounded by red poppies interspersed with tiny white crosses reminiscent of the infamous WWI poem with introductory words: "In Flanders Field the poppies blow between the crosses row on row . . ." etc.
The museum is open Saturdays at 10 a.m. and at other times with advance arrangements. Guided tours are available. Admission is free.
The April window scene of the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum, featuring colorful nesting bird eggs nestled among branches of apple blossoms, creations of artist Susan Phillips, has been retired in favor of the current display honoring all Valley Falls graduates with emphasis on those of 2012.
School colors dominate with a scattering of small signs depicting diplomas and mortar boards, accompanied by enlarged photos of Valley Falls schools Number one and Number two, and an item of sports apparel.
The military window display remembers the sacrifices of men and women veterans, past and present, with miniature American flags and military company flags surrounded by red poppies interspersed with tiny white crosses reminiscent of the infamous WWI poem with introductory words: "In Flanders Field the poppies blow between the crosses row on row . . ." etc.
The museum is open Saturdays at 10 a.m. and at other times with advance arrangements. Guided tours are available. Admission is free.
May 04, 2012
Tragic death of Rufus H. Crosby
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
"(The) Hon. R.H. Crosby, Gone to His Long Home!" were the blaring headlines of the Valley Falls New Era, Saturday, Jan. 2, 1892, followed by "The Tragic End of a Busy Life" and the story as follows:
"Last Tuesday afternoon, about 4 o'clock, the city was shocked by the news that 'Mr. Crosby is Dead.' It was, alas, too true; he was, indeed dead, and to make it more startling, at his own hands.
The particulars of the sad affair are quickly told, and to our mind, it is a plain case of temporary insanity. For several days, Mr. Crosby had been sick and was very nervous; his head bothered him a great deal. He complained in the forenoon of extreme pains in his head, almost unendurable; for weeks Mr. Crosby bore the appearance of fast failing health.
"He told hs wife about half an hour before his death was discovered, that he would 'take a little walk' and she observed him walking about their beautiful grounds and paid no special attention for some minutes, but later, missing him, she called, and receiving no answer, went to find him.
"Her attention was directed to the barn by the neighing of the horse at the door. She looked in and oh, horrors! There was her husband hanging from one of the left joists. Mr. McClurg was passing in a wagon at the time, to whom she gave the alarm, and he and Forrest Bliss took the dead man down. He was taken into the house and sympathizing friends gathered and sorrowfully viewed the remains of the departed.
"Mr. Crosby was one of the first settlers in this county. In 1855, he and his brother, William, established the first store of general merchandise in Valley Falls. He was a typical New Englander, born in Maine in 1834. He leaves a brother and sister in this county (William and Mrs. Mary Shepherd) and a brother, George, in Denver. He also leaves a loving wife and an affectionate daughter, Mrs. W.T. Kemper.
"Mr. Crosby has always prospered financially in every undertaking. He was known not only in his own community, but his state acquaintances was (sic) large and he was recognized by all as a model businessman.
"He was a Temperance man, using no liquors or tobacco, and always doing what he could to stop the traffic. He was an intelligent, well-informed man, a great reader, and a writer of ability."
He was a member of the Topeka Constitutional Convention and edited a paper, the Jeffersonian, in 1863. In 1872-73 he was a county commissioner and was mayor of the city two or three times and was a radical Republican.
His son-in-law became his partner in the Valley Falls Bank of Deposit ever being recognized as one of the reliable, substantial banks of the state.
One of his latest endeavors was to see that Kansas and Jefferson County were shown up at the world's Columbian Exposition, of which he was on the promotion committee.
From the address of the Rev. A.I. Bradley delivered at the funeral of Hon. Rufus H. Crosby, Dec. 31, 1891: "If we were to strike out the name and interests of Rufus H. Crosby from the history of Valley Falls, we would destroy the fabric of that history. We shall see his familiar form pass no more."
The historical society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.
"(The) Hon. R.H. Crosby, Gone to His Long Home!" were the blaring headlines of the Valley Falls New Era, Saturday, Jan. 2, 1892, followed by "The Tragic End of a Busy Life" and the story as follows:
"Last Tuesday afternoon, about 4 o'clock, the city was shocked by the news that 'Mr. Crosby is Dead.' It was, alas, too true; he was, indeed dead, and to make it more startling, at his own hands.
The particulars of the sad affair are quickly told, and to our mind, it is a plain case of temporary insanity. For several days, Mr. Crosby had been sick and was very nervous; his head bothered him a great deal. He complained in the forenoon of extreme pains in his head, almost unendurable; for weeks Mr. Crosby bore the appearance of fast failing health.
"He told hs wife about half an hour before his death was discovered, that he would 'take a little walk' and she observed him walking about their beautiful grounds and paid no special attention for some minutes, but later, missing him, she called, and receiving no answer, went to find him.
"Her attention was directed to the barn by the neighing of the horse at the door. She looked in and oh, horrors! There was her husband hanging from one of the left joists. Mr. McClurg was passing in a wagon at the time, to whom she gave the alarm, and he and Forrest Bliss took the dead man down. He was taken into the house and sympathizing friends gathered and sorrowfully viewed the remains of the departed.
"Mr. Crosby was one of the first settlers in this county. In 1855, he and his brother, William, established the first store of general merchandise in Valley Falls. He was a typical New Englander, born in Maine in 1834. He leaves a brother and sister in this county (William and Mrs. Mary Shepherd) and a brother, George, in Denver. He also leaves a loving wife and an affectionate daughter, Mrs. W.T. Kemper.
"Mr. Crosby has always prospered financially in every undertaking. He was known not only in his own community, but his state acquaintances was (sic) large and he was recognized by all as a model businessman.
"He was a Temperance man, using no liquors or tobacco, and always doing what he could to stop the traffic. He was an intelligent, well-informed man, a great reader, and a writer of ability."
He was a member of the Topeka Constitutional Convention and edited a paper, the Jeffersonian, in 1863. In 1872-73 he was a county commissioner and was mayor of the city two or three times and was a radical Republican.
His son-in-law became his partner in the Valley Falls Bank of Deposit ever being recognized as one of the reliable, substantial banks of the state.
One of his latest endeavors was to see that Kansas and Jefferson County were shown up at the world's Columbian Exposition, of which he was on the promotion committee.
From the address of the Rev. A.I. Bradley delivered at the funeral of Hon. Rufus H. Crosby, Dec. 31, 1891: "If we were to strike out the name and interests of Rufus H. Crosby from the history of Valley Falls, we would destroy the fabric of that history. We shall see his familiar form pass no more."
The historical society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.
April 18, 2012
Hillyer business house, later hotel, opens in 1880
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
The July 24, 1880, issue of the Valley Falls New Era reported on improvements made in the town during the spring and summer. Among those built and finished and about ready for occupation was the business house planned by M.P. Hillyer.
The business, located on the southwest corner of Broadway and Sycamore streets, was 60 x 25 feet on the ground with a basement and two stories above. The basement, 10 feet high, was used as a barber shop and storeroom. The second story was to be occupied as a banking house 14 feet high.
A brick and iron vault was installed and excellenty lighted. Front windows were large and composed of five French plate glass each. The upper story, owned by the Valley Falls Lodge, F.A.M., was 15 feet and used as a lodge room. It was divided into a hall 48 x 22 feet and used as an ante and preparation room.
The wall of the building were of stone on the rear and west side, and on the front and east of brick, and finished with a heavy cornice. Eventually, the structure was enlarged and 12 or 14 rooms were added and it was known as the Hillyer House or Hillyer Hotel, famous for its elegance and well-known clientele.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 21.
April 10, 2012
Early setbacks caused by Mother Nature
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
No one said it would be easy, settling a small town and community. Mother Nature played her role in pioneer days along with border ruffians and horse thieves.
A sundry of items from newspaper articles and historical publications reveal the hardships and damages the pioneers endured.
The prosperity of the county was seriously retarded by the big drought of 1860. The crop yield was almost an entire failure. There was no small grain raised and very little corn.
In May 1872 there were heavy rains, which flooded the streams and much damage was done to growing crops. Many places were covered with water for many days.
In the summer of 1874, just as the harvest of small grain was being completed, the grasshoppers appeared in immense numbers. They came down on fields in myriads and within three days the fields of corn and every other thing that was yet green was destroyed.
On June 8, 1875, a severe storm of wind and rain passed over the county and did considerable damage to growing crops and demolished many farm buildings.
April 10, 1882, news clipping: "Valley Falls was visited by a very severe hail storm Friday night about 11 o'clock, which not only broke every window on the south side of every house but ruined nearly every iron and tin roof in town.
"Some of the stones weighed over a pound. They came down thick and fast injuring fruit trees and small gardens. There is not a business house in town that was not more or less damaged. The roofs on the Hillyer bank building were ruined. The plate glass in one of the bank buildings was ruined while another was cracked. "Old settlers say it was the worst hail storm they had ever seen."
The Valley Falls Historical Society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.
April 05, 2012
Piazzek changed Polish name, changed it back
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Grasshopper Falls was not unique in its history of name change. One of the founders of the town also had an experience in changing his name. The Polish name Piazzek was not easily remembered or pronounced by patrons of Joe Piazzek's grist mill, so many began calling him "Joe the Miller."
About the time the name of the town was changed to Sautrelle in 1863, he decided it would be advisable to have his named changed to Joe Miller.
At his request, the change was made by the Legislature; however, before long an estate was to be settled in his home country and no one named Miller was eligible for Piazzek's share.
After some consideration on his part, he induced the Legislature to make his name Piazzek again.
The source of this came from a March 10, 1943, Vindicator in a letter from Edward Baumgardner, Lawrence.
Photos of the pioneer miller and his mills are on permanent display at the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum. The museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.
March 29, 2012
VF Basketball history new to museum
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Two sports photo albums or scrapbooks have been added to the library that includes portraits of pioneers, prominent community builders, businesses, street scenes, etc. available for browsing at the Valley Falls Historical Society museum.
The latest additions are two volumes of basketball history and memorabilia of newspaper clippings and photos for the 1966-1972 seasons during the reign of coach Bill Barnes. He is renowned for a record 100 wins after completing five years of basketball coaching.
Sports articles are from the Topeka Capital-Journal, Atchison Daily Globe, and local writings that include those of Junior Rush. Some personal profiles of county coaches, players, and cheerleaders share the limelight.
The albums are available during open hours or on advance arrangements and will be prominently displayed during class reunion periods.
The museum will be open Saturday, March 31, at 10 a.m.
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