Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
April and May visitors of the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum including the Memorial Day holiday weekend were:
Mathew, Marcella, and Molly Montez, Oakley, Calif.; Laurie Montez and Carolyn Patterson Tuttle, Tracy, Calif.; Becky S. Grisson and Bernita I. Morton Miller, both Merced, Calif.; L. and Leola McAfee, Custer, S.D.; C. Amble, Quincy, Ill.; Edward Funk, Greenfield, Mass.; Jayne Irwin, St. Charles, Mo.; Roger Ford, Hazelwood, Mo.; Kathy Marsh Langhue, Smithville, Mo.;
Elaine and Dennis Doernberg, Las Cruces, N.M.; Catherine Ferrell and Gary Ferrell, both Tulsa, Okla.; Elva Ferrell, Midwest City, Okla.; Ina Neubauer, Oregon City, Ore.; Charles Tharp, Humble, Texas; Casey and Christy Speer, Camby, Ind.; Pat Wilkerson, El Dorado; Charles and Gail Coker Carr, Hiawatha; Jerry and Karen Lonard, Lenexa;
Jared, Carrie, Kaylee, and Lauren Rider, Olathe; Fred Steinmetz, Overland Park; Gwendolyn Marlene Reichart-Towle, Overland Park; Gerald and M. Boyce, Maple Hill; Butch and Jan Wichman, Manhattan; Nelle Marsh Schneider, Shawnee;
Donald Dial, Emily Clark, Lois Reichart Beamer, Charles and Norma McMullen, Lorraine Perkins, and Tom and Peggy Burns, all Topeka; Rex and Scarlett Ford and Ed Richie, all Tecumseh; Kim Clark, Wamego; Ron and Lorraine Herring, Winchester; and Susan Phillips, Keith Jackson, Rachel Woodgate, Cheyenne Ingraham, Mary Breitsprecher, Shirley, Alden, and Isaiha McGee, Evalena Fox, Bonnie Heuertz, Jerry Tullis, Denise Coker, Charlie Stutesman, all Valley Falls.
The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 7.
June 03, 2014
Valley Falls' first Decoration (Memorial) Day observance, 1884
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
The Valley Falls Historical Society's annual reminder and review of the events in honor of the first Decoration (Memorial) Day observed in Valley Falls follows —
The patriotic event was reported by the Valley Falls New Era Thursday, June 5, 1884, by R.E. Van Meter, editor. First known as Decoration Day, the story follows:
"Last Friday a most beautiful day in Valley Falls, and one calculated 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 museum will observe these hours Memorial Day weekend: Saturday, May 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, May 25, open immediately following the reunion dinner at the Delaware Township Hall until 3 p.m. or later if required, and Monday, May 26, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Valley Falls Historical Society's annual reminder and review of the events in honor of the first Decoration (Memorial) Day observed in Valley Falls follows —
The patriotic event was reported by the Valley Falls New Era Thursday, June 5, 1884, by R.E. Van Meter, editor. First known as Decoration Day, the story follows:
"Last Friday a most beautiful day in Valley Falls, and one calculated 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 museum will observe these hours Memorial Day weekend: Saturday, May 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, May 25, open immediately following the reunion dinner at the Delaware Township Hall until 3 p.m. or later if required, and Monday, May 26, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May 14, 2014
Congratulations class of 2014; and happy 50th class of 1964!
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
The Valley Falls Historical Society congratulates the Valley Falls 2014 senior class graduates and extends special congratulatory recognition to the class of 1964 celebrating their 50th anniversary.
The society museum window displays for May are dedicated to the Valley Falls public schools and to all military veterans, past and present.
The "school" window features an oversized photo of the second Valley Falls High School, built in 1899-1900. The first building, built in 1866, burned in 1898.
The mega school portrait is surrounded by an assortment of facts, figures, and photos of subsequent "Halls of Learning" — those hoarders of memories, lifetime friendships, and an appreciable amount of "high school sweetheart" unions.
Congratulations and happy reunions!
The veterans window scene honors all men and women members of the U.S. military services, past and present.
Red poppies reminiscent of the World War I famous "In Flanders Field, the poppies grow, between the crosses, row on row," etc., are a tribute to those fallen heroes. Miniature green wreaths centered with a white cross topped by a single poppy remember each of the military services represented by individual service flags, surrounded by small American flags. A simple peace symbol on a deep blue background completes the scene. God bless America.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17.
The museum will observe extended hours during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, Saturday, May 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, May 25, immediately following the reunion dinner at the Delaware Township Hall, until 3 p.m. or later, if required, and Monday, May 26, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Valley Falls Historical Society congratulates the Valley Falls 2014 senior class graduates and extends special congratulatory recognition to the class of 1964 celebrating their 50th anniversary.
The society museum window displays for May are dedicated to the Valley Falls public schools and to all military veterans, past and present.
The "school" window features an oversized photo of the second Valley Falls High School, built in 1899-1900. The first building, built in 1866, burned in 1898.
The mega school portrait is surrounded by an assortment of facts, figures, and photos of subsequent "Halls of Learning" — those hoarders of memories, lifetime friendships, and an appreciable amount of "high school sweetheart" unions.
Congratulations and happy reunions!
The veterans window scene honors all men and women members of the U.S. military services, past and present.
Red poppies reminiscent of the World War I famous "In Flanders Field, the poppies grow, between the crosses, row on row," etc., are a tribute to those fallen heroes. Miniature green wreaths centered with a white cross topped by a single poppy remember each of the military services represented by individual service flags, surrounded by small American flags. A simple peace symbol on a deep blue background completes the scene. God bless America.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17.
The museum will observe extended hours during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, Saturday, May 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, May 25, immediately following the reunion dinner at the Delaware Township Hall, until 3 p.m. or later, if required, and Monday, May 26, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May 12, 2014
Arnold Abbuehl's voyage to America, part 2
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Arnold Abbuehl family and friends departed for America June 9, 1851, but were delayed another three days. They finally set sail June 13. Following is his story of their sea voyage.
"Now I want to tell you something about the sea voyage. First we had very bad wind and sometimes none at all, so that in 14 days we had moved forward only 200 hours. At that time seasickness was no problem. Then we got a little wind but still too little and always side wind. We were driven far north, we saw ice blocks, we felt very cold and on some days it was unbearable on deck. All the time we had to wear woolen clothes and a coat, all fear of heat hat totally vanished. We had few storm, 3 times a little. Once waves hit the deck so that water poured onto the lower deck so that Tannler had to flee with his bed. One gave a light and the Catholics started loudly to pray. Twice there was a thunderstorm, so that the hatches were shut and the Catholics again fell on their knees to pray, but thanks God everything went well.
"On 24th we met a ship, loaded with timber that had been burned by a lightning. The sailors said this was the fifth ship that had misfortune this year they knew of. On 26th a child had died and sometimes we were low hearted. Seasickness at times was heavy. Our little boy Arnold was ill a long time but not by the sea. Now he is again fairly well but very lean. Margaretha had to vomit a few times, little Anna was always in good health. The old Anna (Arnold Abbuehl's wife) was also very healthy, she had never to vomit. No passenger on the whole ship was better off than she. I, however, was in poor condition. Fully 6 weeks I had to stay in bed, not the first fortnight and not the last, during the rest of the time I have always been sick. Tannler and his wife were also sick at times, but Balthasar Streun and his children had stayed in fairly good health. Never believe that this sickness is over in just three days! Many people have been sick all the time. Now, however, thanks God in 10 full weeks we have reached New York in good health. We are much relieved, for 10 weeks on the sea there are many grievances.
"We have no news from our travel mates. We heard they had arrived here one month ago but we know nothing for sure. We are wondering why they have left no message for us. In Antwerp we agreed that whatever party first arrives they should let know the other one of their whereabouts. On the other hand, Neiger and his wife Katharina von Bergen who departed from Meiringen on 7th June reached New York 14 days ahead of us and have already found a job as innkeepers. They are well and send greetings to their relatives in Boden. They will give them more information as soon as they get any news from their cousin Neiger in Colickeu. (Colicky?)
"Thousand greetings from us to father, mother, brothers and sisters and all friends and wish you everything we need from God. Especially our parents be blessed. Also to priest Jaggi we send greetings thousand times. Again, we are well, are not homesick and you, too, should have none. God has protected us so far and we are confident he will do it further on. 18th August we will start our second lap to the state of Ohio to see our new fatherland. It will cost us very much money. Now we want to close, we will let you know of our well-being later on. You will not be able to answer this letter until we write to you our new address.
"We are fine and hope these few lines will reach you in the best of health. We greet all of you a thousand times. New York, 17th August 1851
Arnold Abbuehl
Johannes Tannler
Balthasar Streun"
Mr. Schlappi, author of the letter of inquiry Part I, also advised, among the letters (ref. Part I) are quite a few from Anna Abbuehl (1866-1938) wrote from home in Valley Falls. She had traveled with her brother Kaspar to America on the MS Cascogne, sailing from Le Havre to New York in June 1891.
The overland trip was by train via Buffalo, Kansas City, Tonaganoxie, to Valley Falls. Their brother Melchoir refers to his boss as a sensible man. Melchoir had arrived there one year before working as a farm hand with Mel Hefti. Anna's first job as a maid was with Anton Reichart's family. They apparently lived on Coal Creek Road, (Anna one time spelled it 'Kolkirick.')
Mr. Schlappi also advised plans are to publish the letters in some form or other and would be interested in hearing from anyone with background information. The Valley Falls Historical Society will furnish information pertinent to the inquiry.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10.
Arnold Abbuehl family and friends departed for America June 9, 1851, but were delayed another three days. They finally set sail June 13. Following is his story of their sea voyage.
"Now I want to tell you something about the sea voyage. First we had very bad wind and sometimes none at all, so that in 14 days we had moved forward only 200 hours. At that time seasickness was no problem. Then we got a little wind but still too little and always side wind. We were driven far north, we saw ice blocks, we felt very cold and on some days it was unbearable on deck. All the time we had to wear woolen clothes and a coat, all fear of heat hat totally vanished. We had few storm, 3 times a little. Once waves hit the deck so that water poured onto the lower deck so that Tannler had to flee with his bed. One gave a light and the Catholics started loudly to pray. Twice there was a thunderstorm, so that the hatches were shut and the Catholics again fell on their knees to pray, but thanks God everything went well.
"On 24th we met a ship, loaded with timber that had been burned by a lightning. The sailors said this was the fifth ship that had misfortune this year they knew of. On 26th a child had died and sometimes we were low hearted. Seasickness at times was heavy. Our little boy Arnold was ill a long time but not by the sea. Now he is again fairly well but very lean. Margaretha had to vomit a few times, little Anna was always in good health. The old Anna (Arnold Abbuehl's wife) was also very healthy, she had never to vomit. No passenger on the whole ship was better off than she. I, however, was in poor condition. Fully 6 weeks I had to stay in bed, not the first fortnight and not the last, during the rest of the time I have always been sick. Tannler and his wife were also sick at times, but Balthasar Streun and his children had stayed in fairly good health. Never believe that this sickness is over in just three days! Many people have been sick all the time. Now, however, thanks God in 10 full weeks we have reached New York in good health. We are much relieved, for 10 weeks on the sea there are many grievances.
"We have no news from our travel mates. We heard they had arrived here one month ago but we know nothing for sure. We are wondering why they have left no message for us. In Antwerp we agreed that whatever party first arrives they should let know the other one of their whereabouts. On the other hand, Neiger and his wife Katharina von Bergen who departed from Meiringen on 7th June reached New York 14 days ahead of us and have already found a job as innkeepers. They are well and send greetings to their relatives in Boden. They will give them more information as soon as they get any news from their cousin Neiger in Colickeu. (Colicky?)
"Thousand greetings from us to father, mother, brothers and sisters and all friends and wish you everything we need from God. Especially our parents be blessed. Also to priest Jaggi we send greetings thousand times. Again, we are well, are not homesick and you, too, should have none. God has protected us so far and we are confident he will do it further on. 18th August we will start our second lap to the state of Ohio to see our new fatherland. It will cost us very much money. Now we want to close, we will let you know of our well-being later on. You will not be able to answer this letter until we write to you our new address.
"We are fine and hope these few lines will reach you in the best of health. We greet all of you a thousand times. New York, 17th August 1851
Arnold Abbuehl
Johannes Tannler
Balthasar Streun"
Mr. Schlappi, author of the letter of inquiry Part I, also advised, among the letters (ref. Part I) are quite a few from Anna Abbuehl (1866-1938) wrote from home in Valley Falls. She had traveled with her brother Kaspar to America on the MS Cascogne, sailing from Le Havre to New York in June 1891.
The overland trip was by train via Buffalo, Kansas City, Tonaganoxie, to Valley Falls. Their brother Melchoir refers to his boss as a sensible man. Melchoir had arrived there one year before working as a farm hand with Mel Hefti. Anna's first job as a maid was with Anton Reichart's family. They apparently lived on Coal Creek Road, (Anna one time spelled it 'Kolkirick.')
Mr. Schlappi also advised plans are to publish the letters in some form or other and would be interested in hearing from anyone with background information. The Valley Falls Historical Society will furnish information pertinent to the inquiry.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10.
April 30, 2014
Arnold Abbuehl's voyage to America, part 1
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, president of the Valley Falls Historical Society
The Valley Falls Historical Society recently received an inquiry from Walter Schlappi-Kuter, Guttannen, Switzerland, for information about Kaspar Abbuehl. The writer has also asked for information about Viola Reichart, about whom he wrote, "Back in 1976, Viola wrote a letter to Kaspar Schlappi, a distant relative of mine . . . She wanted to find out what itinerary the Guttannen people, Ott and Abbuehl, took on their journey to America around 1850."
Mr. Schlappi advised that relative had passed away and he did not know if her letter had been answered and continued "By chance, some time ago I came across a stack of old letters. In one of those Arnold Abbuehl (1823-1899) described exactly his trip."
"From New York, Arnold Abbuehl, with his family, moved by ship to Albany, continued by train to Buffalo, crossed the Erie Sea to Cleveland and finally arrived on a canal boat to New Philadelphia on Aug. 26, 1851."
Following is a copy of a portion of the letter to the family written by Arnold and others upon arrival at New York, August 1851, describing their journey to America.
The events will be reported in Parts I and II — the first relates events leading up to the sea voyage; Part II tells of the sea voyage.
Part I —
"Beloved father, mother, brother and sister and all relatives Thanks god we can now in good health tell you a few things of our journey. We are sure that you yearned for a letter from us. However, we want to tell you only the most important events of our trip, for if we wanted to report every occurrences we would not be able to finish the letter in one day.
When we came to Berne we had to pay for each adult 150 Swiss francs and for each child under 12 years 110 Swiss francs. Now you can calculate how much the total amount was. (Remark: it was 740 Swiss francs) On May 26 we came to Basel and had to stay there until May 30, then we took the train to Mannheim. There we stayed overnight and on first of June travelled on a steam ship over the Rhine to Köln. There we stayed one day, and on the third we went on by train to Antwerpen where we had to stay until June 9.
At that time all of us were well, particularly the children. We naturally assumed that we all would come on board of the same ship, but things turned out differently. When we had to help load our trunks from the railway to the ship, joy turned into grief. We were desperate when we were told that we would be separated, some of us would come on this ship and the rest of another one. Heinrich Gebel, Johannes Frutiger, Alexander Nägeli, Melchior Banholzer Balthasar Abplanalp and Johannes Frutiger from Gadmen went on a three-master named Elisabeth Delison with 370 passengers. They sailed on June 7. I, Johann Tännler, Balthasar Streun, Schieferli (the tour guide) and Magdalena Gebel came on a two-master named "Profethen" with 80 passengers. We departed on June 9, but hardly 200 yards out of the harbor we had to stay still for 3 days without getting any ship provisions. Hence we had to live on our own money, there was enough to buy but very expensive. From 13th on we sailed gently through the Canal."
(Next Part II, the sea voyage — )
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 3.
The Valley Falls Historical Society recently received an inquiry from Walter Schlappi-Kuter, Guttannen, Switzerland, for information about Kaspar Abbuehl. The writer has also asked for information about Viola Reichart, about whom he wrote, "Back in 1976, Viola wrote a letter to Kaspar Schlappi, a distant relative of mine . . . She wanted to find out what itinerary the Guttannen people, Ott and Abbuehl, took on their journey to America around 1850."
Mr. Schlappi advised that relative had passed away and he did not know if her letter had been answered and continued "By chance, some time ago I came across a stack of old letters. In one of those Arnold Abbuehl (1823-1899) described exactly his trip."
"From New York, Arnold Abbuehl, with his family, moved by ship to Albany, continued by train to Buffalo, crossed the Erie Sea to Cleveland and finally arrived on a canal boat to New Philadelphia on Aug. 26, 1851."
Following is a copy of a portion of the letter to the family written by Arnold and others upon arrival at New York, August 1851, describing their journey to America.
The events will be reported in Parts I and II — the first relates events leading up to the sea voyage; Part II tells of the sea voyage.
Part I —
"Beloved father, mother, brother and sister and all relatives Thanks god we can now in good health tell you a few things of our journey. We are sure that you yearned for a letter from us. However, we want to tell you only the most important events of our trip, for if we wanted to report every occurrences we would not be able to finish the letter in one day.
When we came to Berne we had to pay for each adult 150 Swiss francs and for each child under 12 years 110 Swiss francs. Now you can calculate how much the total amount was. (Remark: it was 740 Swiss francs) On May 26 we came to Basel and had to stay there until May 30, then we took the train to Mannheim. There we stayed overnight and on first of June travelled on a steam ship over the Rhine to Köln. There we stayed one day, and on the third we went on by train to Antwerpen where we had to stay until June 9.
At that time all of us were well, particularly the children. We naturally assumed that we all would come on board of the same ship, but things turned out differently. When we had to help load our trunks from the railway to the ship, joy turned into grief. We were desperate when we were told that we would be separated, some of us would come on this ship and the rest of another one. Heinrich Gebel, Johannes Frutiger, Alexander Nägeli, Melchior Banholzer Balthasar Abplanalp and Johannes Frutiger from Gadmen went on a three-master named Elisabeth Delison with 370 passengers. They sailed on June 7. I, Johann Tännler, Balthasar Streun, Schieferli (the tour guide) and Magdalena Gebel came on a two-master named "Profethen" with 80 passengers. We departed on June 9, but hardly 200 yards out of the harbor we had to stay still for 3 days without getting any ship provisions. Hence we had to live on our own money, there was enough to buy but very expensive. From 13th on we sailed gently through the Canal."
(Next Part II, the sea voyage — )
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 3.
April 16, 2014
Businesses in Valley Falls in 1876
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
A trip through the Valley Falls Historical Society files reveals the view from a business standpoint of Grasshopper Falls (legally Valley Falls by legislative action — 1875) through the eyes of the Kansas New Era April 15, 1876, our nation's centennial year.
"It's manufactories — markets — trade and future prospects — a live town and live businessmen — the spring lookout for the centennial year.
"Valley Falls is conceded to be the commercial center of Jefferson County. Her situtation at the crossing of A.T.&S.F. and K.C. railroads gives railroad connections from every point of the compass and by competing lines gives her better freight lines than any other point in the county. The same reasons give better shipping facilities than are possessed by any other point in the county. These facts enable her businessmen to pay more for produce and sell goods cheaper than any other point not similarly situated.
"These advantages have been accepted by our businessmen so that a better market for better prices for produce has been found at Valley Falls during the last six months than any other town in the state. Goods have been held at bedrock prices so that a load of corn will buy more goods at Valley Falls than at any other town in the state.
"The advantages mentioned will continue to be ours for all time, and if the present liberal policy of our businessmen toward the farmer is continued, our continued prosperity is assured! That the world at large may understand more fully our advantages, we will mention briefly our businessmen and tell what they do.
"First in importance, our water powers — Two in number, one is improved by a flouring mill and woolen mill owned by J. M. Piazzek, Oak Hill Mills — built by Legler and Hefty in 1874 — have a capacity of 100 bushels of grain per hour and manufacture of flour that is making these gentlemen a reputation at home and abroad;
"Wagon, carriage, and smith- shops carried on by S.H. Dunn, V.P. Newman and Nolker, and Schumacher. Harness manufacturing represented by shops of J.J. Winterburg and John Ready;
"Family groceries, A. Frazier and Louis Lutt; drugs and medicines, A.A. Coy and S.A. McDaniel; agricultural implements, Strickland & Bliss, Coulter & Moyer, Trowbridge & Wood, and J. Beland; cabinet making and furniture, D.Y. Gallison & S. F. Coulter;
"Millinery, notions, dressmaking, etc., Mrs. McCartney, Mrs. Mounds, Mrs. Meyer, and the Misses Steele; photographic artists, Cobb & Shirk; city barber, Geo. Lewis; jeweler, watchmaker, H. Shellburg; bakery, Mrs. Baldwin;
"Hotels, Cataract House, Octagon, and The Broadway; livery stables, Sprague & Wood and Thos. Coulter; the Michigan Lumber Yard; Banking institutions, Valley Bank and Savings and Hicks, Gephart & Co.
"They are accommodating gentlemen and safe men to do business with.
"From the Editor: In our haste we may have omitted many important items, but our aim being to show Valley Falls from a business point of view and to show the dependent relations existing between our city and the rich country surrounding it. We think that sufficient has been mentioned for the present purpose and that our readers will all realize that we are a necessity to each other and by cooperation on the part of town and country the prospects that look so prosperous with the opening this centennial spring, will continue to brighten."
The Valley Falls Historical Society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19.
A trip through the Valley Falls Historical Society files reveals the view from a business standpoint of Grasshopper Falls (legally Valley Falls by legislative action — 1875) through the eyes of the Kansas New Era April 15, 1876, our nation's centennial year.
"It's manufactories — markets — trade and future prospects — a live town and live businessmen — the spring lookout for the centennial year.
"Valley Falls is conceded to be the commercial center of Jefferson County. Her situtation at the crossing of A.T.&S.F. and K.C. railroads gives railroad connections from every point of the compass and by competing lines gives her better freight lines than any other point in the county. The same reasons give better shipping facilities than are possessed by any other point in the county. These facts enable her businessmen to pay more for produce and sell goods cheaper than any other point not similarly situated.
"These advantages have been accepted by our businessmen so that a better market for better prices for produce has been found at Valley Falls during the last six months than any other town in the state. Goods have been held at bedrock prices so that a load of corn will buy more goods at Valley Falls than at any other town in the state.
"The advantages mentioned will continue to be ours for all time, and if the present liberal policy of our businessmen toward the farmer is continued, our continued prosperity is assured! That the world at large may understand more fully our advantages, we will mention briefly our businessmen and tell what they do.
"First in importance, our water powers — Two in number, one is improved by a flouring mill and woolen mill owned by J. M. Piazzek, Oak Hill Mills — built by Legler and Hefty in 1874 — have a capacity of 100 bushels of grain per hour and manufacture of flour that is making these gentlemen a reputation at home and abroad;
"Wagon, carriage, and smith- shops carried on by S.H. Dunn, V.P. Newman and Nolker, and Schumacher. Harness manufacturing represented by shops of J.J. Winterburg and John Ready;
"Family groceries, A. Frazier and Louis Lutt; drugs and medicines, A.A. Coy and S.A. McDaniel; agricultural implements, Strickland & Bliss, Coulter & Moyer, Trowbridge & Wood, and J. Beland; cabinet making and furniture, D.Y. Gallison & S. F. Coulter;
"Millinery, notions, dressmaking, etc., Mrs. McCartney, Mrs. Mounds, Mrs. Meyer, and the Misses Steele; photographic artists, Cobb & Shirk; city barber, Geo. Lewis; jeweler, watchmaker, H. Shellburg; bakery, Mrs. Baldwin;
"Hotels, Cataract House, Octagon, and The Broadway; livery stables, Sprague & Wood and Thos. Coulter; the Michigan Lumber Yard; Banking institutions, Valley Bank and Savings and Hicks, Gephart & Co.
"They are accommodating gentlemen and safe men to do business with.
"From the Editor: In our haste we may have omitted many important items, but our aim being to show Valley Falls from a business point of view and to show the dependent relations existing between our city and the rich country surrounding it. We think that sufficient has been mentioned for the present purpose and that our readers will all realize that we are a necessity to each other and by cooperation on the part of town and country the prospects that look so prosperous with the opening this centennial spring, will continue to brighten."
The Valley Falls Historical Society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19.
April 10, 2014
Kemper family featured in museum window display
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum window display depicting local banking history and its relation to the Kansas City Kemper banking giants will continue through April.
The window scene, featuring the Kemper family history and photos of Valley Falls bankers, banks, replicas of banking years' checks, etc., was prompted by the death of R. Crosby Kemper Jr. in January 2014.
R. Crosby Kemper Jr., great-grandson of Rufus Crosby, pioneer merchant and banker of Grasshopper-Valley Falls, Kan. The window scene of family portraits and facts serves as a reminder that Mr. Kemper's roots and legacy began in the pre-Civil War time frame.
Quoting the Kansas City Star: "When two brothers with Scot heritage, from Maine, Rufus Crosby and brother William first came to Kansas to buy dry goods they eventually settled in Grasshopper-Valley Falls.
"Mr. R. Crosby Kemper has been described as a towering personality (6 ft. 7 in.), banker, philanthropist, Kansas City civic and arts booster. For 30 years he led United Missouri Bank Financial Corp. succeeding his father. He grew the family bank into a regional power with billions in loans and assets. Since 2004, UMB has been in the hands of his son, the sixth Kemper to lead the bank."
R. Crosby Kemper was 86 at the time of his death.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 12.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum window display depicting local banking history and its relation to the Kansas City Kemper banking giants will continue through April.
The window scene, featuring the Kemper family history and photos of Valley Falls bankers, banks, replicas of banking years' checks, etc., was prompted by the death of R. Crosby Kemper Jr. in January 2014.
R. Crosby Kemper Jr., great-grandson of Rufus Crosby, pioneer merchant and banker of Grasshopper-Valley Falls, Kan. The window scene of family portraits and facts serves as a reminder that Mr. Kemper's roots and legacy began in the pre-Civil War time frame.
Quoting the Kansas City Star: "When two brothers with Scot heritage, from Maine, Rufus Crosby and brother William first came to Kansas to buy dry goods they eventually settled in Grasshopper-Valley Falls.
"Mr. R. Crosby Kemper has been described as a towering personality (6 ft. 7 in.), banker, philanthropist, Kansas City civic and arts booster. For 30 years he led United Missouri Bank Financial Corp. succeeding his father. He grew the family bank into a regional power with billions in loans and assets. Since 2004, UMB has been in the hands of his son, the sixth Kemper to lead the bank."
R. Crosby Kemper was 86 at the time of his death.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 12.
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