Valley Falls Bank Robbery, 1890

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

"He came in on the morning Santa Fe train from the west, got breakfast at the Octagon Hotel, registered as D. Smith, Leoti, Kansas. He carried a little bundle," reported the Valley Falls New Era, Saturday, March 6, 1890.

"About 11 o'clock he hired a horse at Harman's Stable to use a couple of hours saying he had some cattle he wanted to see, but in 10 minutes he tied the horse in front of Crosby's Bank while he perambulated up and down the sidewalk, undoubtedly waiting for an opportune moment to make a move on it.

"Mr. Harman noticed the man was not using the horse and told him he would return it to the stable if he was through with it, which he did. About 4 o'clock a man, apparently a farmer, wearing an old cap, a ducking coat, overalls, with a red handkerchief tied over his face entered Hicks, Gephart & Co.'s Bank, took a chair by the stove and said he wished to sit there a few minutes, that he had a bad neuralgia in his face.

"It was a busy day at the bank and cashier John Coen was alone. Several people came in while the farmer (?) was warming, but paid no attention to him.

"Near six o'clock, Mr. Coen was uneasy and told the fellow to go to a hotel if he was sick. The man said he would leave soon. Mr. Coen was putting money in the vault when the 'sick man' appeared at the vault door with two ugly looking revolvers pointed at Mr. Coen's head and told him to put about $10,000 in the bag he carried.

"Coen told the fellow he did not have that much, but he could take what he had. The robber told the cashier to put what currency he had in the bag. Coen dropped $2,803 into the sack, then the thief told Coen he would lock him in the vault for safety, but Coen pled with the fellow telling him he could not live until morning in the vault.

"The robber then told Coen he would lock him in the bank, but he must not sound an alarm or he'd be shot. He then backed out the bank door, covering Coen with his revolvers and still wearing the handkerchief over his face. As soon as he was gone, Coen rushed to the front door and sounded an alarm.

"Within three minutes, a hundred people were at the bank. The block was surrounded, barn and houses were searched, but in vain.

"Nearby towns were alerted of the robbery by telegraph and by search parties. About 11:30 p.m. a telegram was received from Meriden stating that the supposed robber was there. Harry Shire and Joseph Summerville were deputized to go to Meriden.

"The suspect dressed as the robber's description entered the Meriden depot telling the operator he wanted to get the first train, but was told the first train was not until 5 a.m. The suspect then went to a hotel repeatedly telling the clerk he must be awakened in time to catch the 5 a.m. train.

"The officers arrived at the hotel and concluded to wait for their man to come down. At 5 o'clock the landlord awakened the man and the two deputies and a constable were prepared. Shire and Summerfield had shotguns. When the suspect entered the door, he was twice asked to hold up his hands, but he kept going toward the front door and with a daredevil grin thrust a hand in each coat pocket for his guns.

"The officers fired simultaneously and the man fell dead in his tracks. News reached Valley Falls at once and the coroner was notified but failed to appear.

"Judge Frazier held an inquest on Sunday. The town of Meriden was full of people anxious to view the deperado, but none could identify him. The dead man was dressed as he was when he arrived in Valley Falls not as he was when he robbed the bank. $2,812.18 was found on the robber's body, a carpenter's rule with the initials 'S.R.,' a silver watch with 'R' on the case, and receipt for a registered letter sent by 'S. Robertson, Burlington, Kansas, to D. Smith, Ottawa, Ks.'

"He was about 30 years old with light brown hair, a red mustache, two weeks' beard, blue eyes, weighed 180 lbs., and was 5 feet, 11 inches tall.

"Later, three men from Ottawa arrived in Meriden and identified the man. His name was Shannon Robinson from Homewood near Ottawa. He kept a small store, was postmaster, had an 18-year-old wife and one child."

From the editor of the New Era, "Our photographer, Mason, has some dandy photographs of the robber for sale. He took six different negatives."

The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday in Valley Falls.

Windows reflect Christmas, Pearl Harbor Day

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

A snow-covered, brightly-lighted Christmas tree, planted firmly in the window corner, accompanied by a colorful fireplace mural, complete with "stockings hung by the chimney with care," set the scene for the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum's December window display. A bright red, mega book frontispiece painting with the season's accents and appropriately titled "The Night Before Christmas" promises a traditional reading of the Clement Moore poem, also called "A Visit from St. Nicholas."

An oversized, painted portrait of an approving St. Claus overlooks the quiet scene of expectation of the old gent's visit, including a sleeping puppy and a snoozing cat. Twinkling lights embedded in greenery frame the window, enhancing the holiday mood.

An enlarged sign with the patriotic sentiment, "Home of the Free Because of the Brave," surrounded by military service flags, caps, and United States flags, in remembrance of Pearl Harbor Day, claimed the center of attention for the veterans' window. A red holiday garland, encircling the window, and a single poinsettia served as holiday greetings for all veterans, past and present.

The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. Admission is free.

Christmas shopping in Valley Falls, 1940

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

Three dozen oranges for 35 cents were among the grocery items advertised by the Star Grocery in the Dec. 11, 1940, issue of the Valley Falls Vindicator. A few other items included franks, all meat, 2 lbs., 27 cents; and angel food cakes, 25 cents each. Competitor, Beaman's Grocery and Market, featured pork roast, 14 cents per lb.; spaghetti, 2 lbs., 25 cents; pure grape jam, 2-lb. jar, 19 cents; with Saturday special Folger's Coffee, 25 cents a lb.

G.W. Morrell's Corner Drug Store listed billfolds, 50 cents to $5; flashlights, 29 cents to $1.65; cigarette cases, 50 cents to $2; with cigarette lighters from 50 cents to $12.

Lott's Variety Store's Christmas specials included a lunch cloth and four napkins, hand embroidered, a 98-cent value for 79 cents; and Saturday special, mixed candy, 10 cents per lb.

Waite's Confectionery specials for Christmas were a complete stock of cameras for prices ranging from 98 cents up to $2; five-pound boxes of candy were priced 98 cents, $2.30, and $2.50.

Hatfields's Penslar Store stated "Hundreds of items too numerous to mention." However, a lengthy list of remedies, especially priced for the holidays, special soap prices, and bargains included: 75-cent Bayer Aspirin, now 59 cents; 35-cent Vicks Vapor Rub, now 29 cents; 60-cent Alka Seltzer, now 49 cents; large size Oxydol, 19 cents, or a giant-size, 54 cents; 75-cent bottle Lucky Tiger Tonic and 75-cent shampoo, both for 69 cents.

Gillispie Hardware's gift specials were: electric iron, $1.50; ironing board, $1.25; ice skates, $1; roller skates, $1.25; and pocket pen watch, $1.50.

Stewart's Hardware offered brand new 1941 Jamson Card Tables for $2.98, including two new coaster ash trays that "can't fall off."

Dial Baking Company's Saturday special was orange cake for 8 cents square or two for 15 cents. The Coffee Cup Cafe, Ray and Josephine Gray, prop., Sunday dinner, Dec. 15, was a choice of roast turkey and dressing or Virginia baked ham with mashed potatoes, giblet gravy, creamed cauliflower, combination salad, hot rolls, jelly, Meyer's ice cream, pie, coffee, milk, or hot tea. No price listed, however, undoubtedly within the same price range of Pat's Cafe's Sunday dinner menu consisting of a choice of roast young turkey or roast of fresh pork with cream whipped potatoes, giblet gravy, dressing, buttered peas, cranberry salad, celery, hot rolls, jelly, hot mince pie, coffee, tea, or milk. Choice of dinners, 25 to 45 cents.

For entertainment, the Rio Theater priced Saturday matinee tickets, 5 and 11 cents, eve. 10 and 15 cents; with Sunday matinee, 10 and 15 cents.

The society's museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. Hours are being extended for the Hometown Christmas celebration.

Church Thanksgiving gathering ends with the minister being shot, 1913

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

"The Best Laid Plans..." apparently went awry for the Rev. Fred Daniels Thanksgiving evening according to a December 5, 1913, Valley Falls newspaper report. Quoting the report, "The colored folks of Valley Falls and vicinity had made preparations for holding a festival and supper in their church Thanksgiving and were just getting started when a disturbance was started between "Bill" Tall and Ed Jackson over a matter of a check tendered in payment by Tall for his supper.

"The jangle lasted for better than half an hour during which time Jackson made an unsuccessful search of town for the marshal, and ended only when Tall took a couple of random shots outside the church and one inside which found lodgement in the leg of the minister, Fred Daniels.

"Of course this broke up the supper, and it is said never such a mixture of sweet potato, possum, coon and trimmings ever seen in the church house as was on display after the riot was over. After the shooting, both the marshal and night watch appeared, but no attempt was made to arrest anyone that night. Nor the next morning when Tall was walking about the street and afterward went to Holton.

"Mayor Hatfield became disgusted with the manner in which the whole matter was being handled and ordered the marshal to make complaint and arrest all those known to be implicated or present at the supper and have them brought into police court for examination where the facts, as above given, were brought out and a warrant issued for the arrest of Tall for disturbing the peace.

"The next day when he arrived from Holton he was arrested and pleaded guilty. The police judge assessed a fine of $15.00 and costs amounting to $20.00. He released him on the promise to pay with his father as security. So much criticism was heard of the entire proceedings and absence of action, by the officers of the church, that Tall was later arrested on a complaint sworn out in Justice Shaffer's court, charging 'assault with intent to kill'. The judge apparently looking on the affair as a trivial matter placed the bond at $500 for his appearance at the next term of the district court."

"Tall has a reputation as being 'free with his gun' and it is noted that he drew it on James Judd a short time ago at the depot and on another occasion he broke up a crap game with a double barrel shot gun. With all these matters of common talk, criticism of the laxity of the officers' handling of this case is very severe."

The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Extended hours are planned Dec. 8 for the Hometown Christmas Celebration.

Tragic death of Greta Schuler, 1913

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

Death takes no holidays and plays no favorites.

The Farmer's Vindicator, Aug. 8, 1913, reported the tragic death of Greta, the four-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Schuler. Mr. Schuler was a partner in the Schuler family of undertakers and funeral directors.

Quoting the newspaper report:
"From playing with her little brother in front of the house, the little girl (Greta) ran to the rear when from the back door came a flaming pitcher of gasoline thrown by the frightened mother from the kitchen, into the path from which the unsuspecting child ran.

"Immediately the child was enveloped in flames and dead grass around her was burning. She screamed and struggled in pain and fell a few feet away again setting the grass on fire. Edna Hukill ran to her assistance and rolled the burning body on the ground, extinguishing the fire on the clothing and with her hands snuffed out the fire in the little girl's hair and ribbons.

"Dr. Lowry was called by phone, but the answer seemed unsatisfactory to anxious friends so Mrs. Schuler's sister and Virginia Mitchell ran to his home, to hasten the call. He was already on his way, going by way of his office for bandages and ointments.

"Dr. Pecinovsky ran over from the Catholic church, dressed the burns with flour and syrup and wrapped the screaming child in sheets. When Dr. Lowry arrived, chloroform had been administered, easing the suffering of the child. The little bare legs and arms and face were severely blistered, but not thought to be fatal. The condition of the little patient was favorable all day. She rested and knew Papa and Grandma and called them by name. Toward sundown unfavorable symptoms appeared. The shock was too much for the little heart. The little girl passed away at three the following morning.

"A series of household events caused the fatal accident. Gasoline was low for a household facility and a quart can had been borrowed. An attempt to fill the facility from an open can proved unsatisfactory, gas vapors filled the room and gasoline was poured into a pitcher — a sudden flash and the whole kitchen seemed afire. The flaming pitcher was thrown out the back door in the path of Greta who was known to have been playing at the front door a few minutes before and the awful accident happened, never to be forgotten."

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

Animal tales

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

A blind cow and thriving silkworms gained newsworthy attention and stories about them were printed in the Valley Falls New Era from 1878 to 1906. Examples of the incidents:

October 5, 1878 — "We'll guarantee that Aunt Kitty Gragg has the oldest cat in the state. While in Cedar Creek the other day, we gave the lady (Aunt Kitty) a call. We noticed the old familiar cat, and asked its age. When Billy Gragg was a baby, the cat was a kitten and the two played together. Billy now has four children, all of whom have played with the same old cat, which is over 21 years old. Per Aunt Kitty."

The Valley Falls New Era, June 24, 1882 — "Last Friday evening, Mr. C.A. Harding's blind cow walked into Coy's Drug Store and attempted to go behind the counter on the east side of the store. In doing so, she broke one of the panes of glass of the window. While Mr. Coy and his assistant were trying to lead her out by the ear, she broke another pane out of the window on the other side. No other damage was done."

The Valley Falls New Era, June 7, 1890 — "Minnie Maxwell's silkworm eggs hatched well. She now has about 8,500 of them about an inch long with an appetite that causes them to devour Osage leaves very rapidly. They are now white and do not leave their feeding shell — "

Continuing on July 5, 1890 — "Minnie Maxwell expressed what marketable silk cocoons she had produced from 1/4 ounce of eggs to Peabody, Kan., and received 33 1/3 cents per pound for 19 1/2 pounds. She now has her curiosity satisfied in that line of business. Blue Mound News."

The Valley Falls New Era, Feb. 5, 1906 — "Inez Batchlor's pet goose is dead. Martin Goodman accidentally caused its death. Goosie was out for a walk and a talk when Martin came dashing along in a burst of speed and hit the pet a fatal blow with his buggy wheels. There was sorrow in the household of Inez. Kind friends carried poor Goosie to her home and laid her out.

"Arrangements were made for the last sad rites. A funeral robe was prepared, a grave was dug, and at the appointed hour, the mourners, a score or more of the children in the neighborhood, buried Goosie in a corner lot of her pasture, closing the ceremony with the familiar hymn: 'Old Rhoda — The Gray Goose is Dead.' "

The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Mildfelt speaks to members at 45th annual meeting

The 45th annual meeting of the Valley Falls Historical Society was held Sunday, Oct. 28, at The Barn Bed and Breakfast Inn.

A short business meeting was held following the buffet dinner. The following officers and directors were elected to serve the society for the 2012-2013 term:
Betty Jane Wilson, president, Rosalind Jackson, vice president, Lesa Brose, secretary, Gary Coleman, treasurer, and directors Joan Reichart, term 2015, Anita Stutesman, term 2013, and James Durand, term 2014, and Frank Shrimplin, historian.

The guest speaker was Todd Mildfelt, author and teacher from Richmond. His subject, "The Underground Railroad on the Western Frontier" emphasized the involvement of territorial Kansas.

Author of "The Secret Danites: Kansas' First Jayhawkers," the story of the secret society organized to make Kansas a free state, features Charles Leonhardt, James Lane, the Rev. John E. Stewart, and John Brown and their involvement in the society.

"Wagon Train to Freedom," also authored by Mildfelt, is a story based on an actual underground railroad trip that took place less than a year before the Civil War began traveling approximately 35 miles west of Topeka north for Nebraska. The book is illustrated with black and white sketches by Kelly Hartman who accompanied Mildfelt and was a guest of the historical society. Both of Mildfelt's books were for sale after the meeting.

The historical museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3.