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.

1875 - Atchison bridge celebration, businesses doing well, "evil whiskey," vegetables and Christmas

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

A sundry of events 140 years ago, (1875) at the former Grasshopper Falls, now officially Valley Falls, according to Kansas New Era editor George A. Huron, Sept. 11, 1875:

"Nearly 400 citizens of Jefferson County attended the Great Bridge celebration at Atchison Thursday via A.T.&T. and S.F.R.R. Rock Creek and Meriden sent each about 40, Valley Falls 125, and Nortonville 115 persons.

"The woolen mills at the Falls are doing a good business. The proprietors, when asked for an advertisement, stated they could not supply the present demands.

"The Octagon Hotel is one of the greatest curiosities of architectural integrity. It is five stories high (50 feet) and contains 35 rooms so arranged that the least possible trouble is taken to reach any of them from office or parlor."

Sept. 18, 1875:
"Miss Puella Dornblazer is the Valley Falls correspondent for the Oskaloosa Independent. A good thing for that paper.

"Three young ladies have opened a barber shop in Valley Falls. Mell Legler knows where it is.

"R.H. Crosby starts for Chicago this week with two car loads of fat cattle. He will bring back a rousing big stock of goods for the fall and winter trade at 'Crosby & Kendall."

Sept. 25, 1875:
"For an illustration of the evil effects of whiskey in a printing office, compare this week's New Era with last. The editor went away — the printers got on a drunk and stayed there. A new set could not be procured until Thursday noon, and this is why we give you the New Era on the half shell this week (only two pages). With a corps of sober printers, we hope for no such failures in the future."

Oct. 16, 1875:
"Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe R.R. from Kansas City and Atchison via Valley Falls, Lawrence, Topeka, Carbondale, Osage City, Emporia, Florence, Peabody, Newton to Wichita, Hutchinson, Dodge City, Granada and West Las Anmas."

Nov. 6, 1875:
"Wheat, corn, potatoes, turnips, pumpkins, squash, and rag currency taken on subscription for the New Era. What the people want is a legal tender paper dollar, which is worth just 100 cents in gold, or a medium of exchange, which will not be depreciated by an usurious premium on gold."

Nov. 13, 1875:
"Turnips, only 10 cents per bushel, yet some scallawag stole several bushels, root and branch from our garden.

Smith Bunkder, who has been almost totally blind dor three years, has been under treatment by Dr. E. Northrup for a few weeks, and has so far recovered his sight as to be able to read common newspaper print with ease. Dr. Northrup is having wonderful success in treating diseases of the eyes."

Dec. 4, 1875:
"With Christmas trees at the Methodist Church and Cowan's Hall on Christmas Eve, Gibson's Minstrels at Crosby's Hall Saturday evening, public installation at Masonic Hall Monday evening, Christmas Jubilee at Congregational Church Sunday evening, and a ball or two, there should be no lack of amusement this week."

Day of mourning for President Garfield, 1881

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

Tolling bells convey the tidings of the death of the murdered United States President.

The Valley Falls New Era, Sept. 24, 1881, reported:
"Proclamation. Mayor's office, Sept. 23, 1881. Whereas Monday, Sept. 26, has been set for the funeral observance of our martyred President, James A. Garfield, I therefore request a general observance of the day by our people and that all places of business be closed between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., also that public and private buildings be suitably draped in mourning."

"Our businessmen generally draped their building in crepe on the day following the President's death. The city flag was suspended over main street, draped in deep mourning, also the band flag from Kendall's Hall. In pursuance of Mayor Hick's proclamation, the business houses were all closed. Many private residences were also draped in black. At about half past one o'clock, a procession was formed on Broadway at the corner of Sycamore Street. At the head of the procession was a white horse led by a colored groom dressed in a black suit. The horse wore a saddle to which was attached a sword and on the opposite side a heavy carbine. Next came the Valley Falls Cornet band with muffled drum playing a funeral march, followed by speakers of the day riding in a carriage. Following on foot were benevolent societies of the city. 

"The procession proceded to Wilson Park for short addresses by the speaker with appropriate band and choir music. Following the memorial services, the procession returned to city center and sadly dispersed."

James A. Garfield was shot by Charles J. Guiteau on July 2, 1881, and died Sept. 19, 1881.

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

Visit the museum on Grasshopper Falls Day!

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

The grasshopper's annual claim to fame dominates the historical society museum window display this month. The wily playboy of the folklore insect world, berated by the industrious ants for his irresponsible capers and despised by farmers in the reality world for his voracious appetite and destructive invasions, enjoys celebrity status in the city's history.

The window display lauds the creature's "once-a-year day" (Grasshopper Falls Day) with a scattering of previous years' programs and brochures surrounded by signs of welcome, reminders of the city's effort to change the city's name, and a rare copy of the short-lived Sautrelle News. A weather-beaten, aged grasshopper replica claims center stage.

Cider and doughnuts will be available at the museum beginning at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

Annual meeting is October 18th

Deb Goodrich will be the guest speaker at the annual dinner and meeting of the Valley Falls Historical Society to be held at The Barn Bed & Breakfast Inn at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18.

Deb is a storyteller. Whether through writing or on camera, she educates and inspires. She is the cohost of the weekly television show, Around Kansas, the Wednesday

feature of AgaminKansas, on YouTube. She will be host to a new TV series, Out West, debuting in 2016. 

Deb is writing "Our Charley: From Reservation to Washington," (film script and book) on the life of Kansas's Vice President Charles Curtis, son of the Kaw Nation. She is an instructor for Osher, Lifelong Learning, and is much in demand as a speaker.

In spring 2012, the History Press released her book, "The Civil War in Kansas: Ten Years of Turmoil," (foreward by Gen. Richard Myers, 15th Chair of the Joint Chiefs).

Goodrich and co-author Michelle Martin wrote "Kansas Forts and Bases: Sentinels of the Prairie," released in February 2013 (foreward by retired col. Jerry Morelock, editor in chief of Armchair General Magazine).

Her third book with History Press was released in November 2014. Kansas Music Hall ofFame President Allen Blasco wrote the foreward to "Kansas Music: Stories of a Rich Tradition."

Author Esther Luttrell based the lead character in her newest book, "Murder in Magenta" on Goodrich.

Goodrich has appeared on C-SPAN and in numerous documentaries including two new releases: "Gunslingers" on American Heroes Channel and "The Road to Valhalla" from Lone Chimney Films (Winner of the 2015 Wrangler Award). 

Further information will be forthcoming.

1878 rules for teachers

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

Yesteryears, a publication of the Jefferson County Historical Society and Jefferson County Genealogical Society's April 1994 issue, published the following rules for teachers, as published in the November 23, 1878, Oskaloosa Independent, our friend and neighbor:

"The following sixteen rules are excellent guides, and by a closer adherence to them will seldom be occasion for resorting to any severe mode of punishment."

Authorship of the rules unknown, but quoted as found except for a few alterations!

"1.) From your earliest connection with your pupils, inculcate the necessity of prompt and exact obedience. 2.) Unite firmness with gentleness and let your pupils understand that you mean exactly what you say. 3.) Never promise anything unless you are quite sure you can give what you promise. 4.) Never tell a pupil to do anything unless you are sure he knows how it is to be done; or show him how it is to be done. 5.) Always punish a pupil for willful disobedience; but never punish unduly or in anger; and in no case should a blow be given to the head. 6). Never let your pupils see they can make you lose your self-command. 7.) If the pupils are under the influence of an angry or petulent spirit, wait till they are calm, then reason with them on the impropriety of their conduct. 8.) Never yield to a pupil because he looks angry or threatens or resorts to tears. Deal mercifully and justly. 9.) A little present punishment is more effective than threatening of a greater punishment should the fault be renewed. 10.) Never allow pupils to do at one time what you have forbidden under like circumstances at another. 11.) Teach the young that the only way to appear good is to be good. 12.) Never allow tale bearing. 13.) If a pupil abuses your confidence, make him for a time feel the want of it. 14.) Never allude to former errors if real sorrow has been evinced for having committed them. 15.) Encourage, in every suitable way, a spirit of diligence, obedience, perseverance, kindness, forbearance, honesty, truthfulness, purity and courteousness. 16.) Never speak in a scolding or fretful manner. Use tones of gentleness. Some teachers defeat their objective by using harsh and boisterous tones."

The Valley Falls Historical Society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22.

The Delaware Valley Fair, 1880s

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

The story of a Valley Falls fair from the pages of a scrap book of newspaper articles dated 1938 compiled and saved by the late Sallie Blue, a Valley Falls teacher and librarian:

Former Fairs at Valley Falls—A Glimpse at the Record Book of 1880-84 when the Delaware Valley Fair Association was in its Glory.

We are indebted to Mrs. John Campbell, daughter of M. M. Maxwell—during his life one of the most enthusiastic boosters for county fairs, and in 1884 secretary of the Delaware Valley Fair Association, putting on fairs and races on what is now F. F. Hurst's wheatfield southeast of town—for the secretary's book containing the names of prize winners for the fairs of 1880-1884.

Checking over the list for '80 we note there were few exhibits of cattle—George Hensley and J. M. Huber, both of Meriden, being the biggest exhibitors; but when it came to horses and mules there must have been a demand for extra stable room. Horse breeders were present from Atchison, Leavenworth, Topeka, Oskaloosa, Winchester, Ozawkie, Pardee, Grove City (ever hear of a town of this name in Jefferson county—there was one then) besides the following from this place: Adam and J. H. Faulk, Dave German, I. C. Webster, J. J. Gardiner, Herm Newman, Ed. Farrar, Dick Simpson, Ed. Hutchins, Bob Marsh, Walter and Finley Ferguson, Wm. T. Booth, Chas. Hudspeth.

A good display of sheep were shown and among the owners were George Goodrich and son Harry.

In the swine department Park Murray apparently got most of the ribbons.

Apparently there was little attention paid to poultry in those days, but in '84 this division began to pick up and the name of Andrew Mitchell was at the top of the winners in his class.

In the display of farm and kitchen implements—a department the present fair should encourage—Doolittle Bros. & Judson had a display of hand made kitchen tinware, E. L. Weybright got a prize on a churn and farm wagon made by the "Delaware Manufacturing Co.," and V. P. Newman had an exhibit of harrows and plows made by the "Great Western Blacksmith Shop" —you may note Valley Falls was an industrial center in those days, why not now?

In the farm products department a difference was made in the classification of bottom and upland raised corn, but other than white and yellow there was no distinction—what would these men think now when Boone county White and Reids Yellow Dent are so carefully graded—to, say nothing of the "hybrids" but even so the following were good farmers in their day and believed in showing their neighbors how it was done; and such men deserve the sincere thanks and approbation of those who have profited by their early experiments and sacrifices, such men were M. M. Maxwell, Dave Smith, A. A. Murray, T. A. Hatfield, L. H. Gest, Ben Reppert, Geo. Reppert, Wm. Bechtel, John Corkadel, George Corkadel, George VanGaasbeek, Sam Washington, of Ozawkie; L. E. Stone, of Londale, (ever hear of this town in Jackson county ?).

In the fine arts department the ladies demonstrated their industry and ability in the line of knitting, worsted work on cardboard, crocheting, plain and fancy quilting, lacework, embroidery, wax-work, and painting in oil—a few of the contestants are still actively interested in the affairs of the present day. Among the names were Mrs. L. E. Stone, of Londale, Mrs. H. B. Schaeffer, of Oskaloosa, Mrs. John Carson and Mrs. Mary J. Graham, of Winchester, Mrs. L. H. Gest, Mrs. I. Friend, Mrs. M. S. Orr, Mrs. Albert Beland, Mrs. G. D. Ingersoll, Mrs. J. G. Waite, Mrs. D. Y. Gallison, Mrs. H. A. McCoy, Mrs. Allen Stockwell, Mrs. S. G. Walters, Mrs. Robt. Marsh, Mrs. E. A. Newman, Mrs. Albert Beland, Mrs. Dr. Hunt, Mrs. Mell Hefty, Mrs. J. H. Murray, Mrs. Henry Legler, Mrs. J. R. Mitchell, Mrs. A. A. Murray, Mrs. Mell Legler, and Misses Pauline Friend, Bertha Greutter, May Murray, Nellie A. Murray, L. E. Goodrich, Lula Goodrich, Blanch Beland, Lizzie Goodman, Etta Murray, Nellie Bishop, Willetta German, Mollie McDaniel, Nellie Grimes, Minnie Maxwell, Jessie Hughan, Ellen Summerfelt, Gertie Barnes, Mollie Gephart, Hattie Hayward, Lida Goodrich, Sadie Blair.

S.R. Shepherd, of Leavenworth, had on exhibition a Singer sewing machine, and D. M. Smith of Oskaloosa, was showing a Wilcox & White parlor organ (Suppose Charley Olden had come along and set a radio in operation?).

That there was some contest in beauty in those days is proven by four entries for the prettiest baby award—Mrs. Mary J. Graham of Winchester, was given first prize, but we'll lay even money that many in the crowd would have given the premium to either Mrs. E. Champion, Mrs. J. Bishop or Mrs. Sarah J. Tosh, who no doubt had just as lovely babies in the showing.

There were always a lot of special prizes offered in those days, all the way from butter, sorghum, honey, girls' dressmaking and baking ability, horseback riding, oil painting, to scrub horse races and footraces. Those who knew "Johnny" Dornblaser in his later years would never have picked him to win a 300-yard foot race against D. Bliss, of Oskaloosa, Joseph Inman, of Topeka, and Norte Gould in 1880, but that is what happened. In this department Miss Lida Goodrich won the prize offered for sponge cake in 1883; Mrs. Mell Legler won first on largest display of fancy work. Nola Webster won the horseback riding prize, with Minnie Piazzek a close second.

And of course they had horse racing. The names most prominent in these contests were George Wolf, of Topeka; G.W. Tanner and L.H. Sargeant, of Leavenworth; Jesse Crall, J.F. Doyle, W.H. Perkins and Thomas S. Towne, of Atchison; Burt Cirtwell, of Monrovia; Walt Johnson, of Menoken; A. Newell, of Oskaloosa, and of course J.J. Gardiner and I.C. Webster. As an extra inducement in the free-for-all trot, George Wolf offered a $25 prize for any horse beating the track record of 2:28, but George had no occasion to part with his money.

What a time they had in those days. Folks would come for miles, camp out and stay the entire three or four days, take in all the side shows, bet a little on the horse races, maybe try to pick the pea under the shell; have a good visit with old friends, and go home satisfied and resolved to make next year's exhibit bigger and better—everyone can have a better time at the fair today than then if each will come with the same mind. Why not try it out this year?

The Valley Falls museum is open at 10 a.m. Saturdays.