Historical society rooms made for browsing

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

Although our boots aren’t “made for walking” (they’re fashionable), our rooms are made for browsing (and we have several).

Local artists’ paintings, mega photos from glass negatives, wooden plaques listing historical society benefactors, life members, and memorial recipients, military apparel and artifacts, a reed organ, and the famous “Depot Fern” greet the visitor to the entrance of the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum.

Browsing rooms feature yesteryear sports gear, merchant photos, and establishments including a barber shop replica complete with striped pole (sans quartet) showcases with postal work items and a prized Grasshopper Falls stamp canceler, sewing necessities, railroad equipment, and a variety of telephones surrounded by operator photos.

China cabinets with interior lighting display shelves of antique glass and dinnerware, a Linotype and equipment used to publish the Valley Falls Vindicator occupies an entire corner of the room lined with advertising mirrors from various barber shops.

Toys, dolls, wagons, and scooters, prior to motorized vehicles, and games claim a share of browsing. A corner devoted to the pharmaceutical profession contains an enviable collection of supplies and neccessities, plus an 1872 prescription book.

Recently-installed, overhead, miniature spotlights illuminate the scenic theatrical curtain that emphasizes merchants wares, and is reminiscent of stage presentations of year’s past.

Twelve dozen egg crates, monkey wrenches, cow kickers, and animal nose snubs draw attention to shelves and walls lined with “tools of the trade.”

Second-floor browsing rooms are filled with wedding and graduation dress fashions, and a millinery shop, high school senior class composites, school trophies, country school memorabilia, bank paraphernalia, fraternal organization material, Rio Theatre movie posters, photographic enlargers, cameras, and film developers, utility room “back breakers,” including hand-operated clothes washer and wringer and a flat iron.

The Sam Strawn Room boasts quilts, coal room heater, pineapple legged dining table, womens’ high-topped, laced, pointed-toe shoes (boots aforementioned), baby clothes, and antique samplers.

Ramp and hand rails new at Shrine Church

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

A white, walk-up ramp with hand rails added to the entrance of the Shrine church enhance the beauty and accessibility to the building. Designated a state historical shrine in the 1970s, the structure, located at the intersection of K-16 and Elm Streets is the first Lutheran Church built in Kansas.

Owned and maintained by the Valley Falls Historical Society, the Shrine is open to visitors by advance arrangement. Call Gary Coleman, (785) 945-3231, or Betty Jane Wilson, (785) 945- 3576 for an appointment.

The museum on Broadway Street will be open Saturday, Aug. 23, with hosts Galen Reichart and Glen Lester. Admission is free. Guided tours are available.

'Johnny' stories recounted in news clips

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

"Coal Oil Johnny" of Valley Falls ran the oil horse-drawn tank wagon from Arrington to Oskaloosa with intermediate stops.

News editors along the route recounted "Johnny" stories in the New Era. This from the Sept. 23, 1904 issue: "Coal Oil Johnny of Valley Falls was here and at Larkin Friday. He arrived about noon. His four faithful mules were dry and hungry.

"Summers fed them all they would eat – a half dozen ears of corn each and quenched their thirst with a few bottles of mineral water.

"Johnny was hungry too . . . but he did not eat as much as usual. He could only hide sever of the fat roasting ears an Indian maiden had fetched him, trading the others for three cold bottles somebody found in a well. Then he had no trouble disposing of 500 gallons of coal oil and gas. (Arrington Argus)"

New Era, Oct. 14, 1904: "Coal Oil Johnny lost a mule on his way home from Oskaloosa one night last week. He came to a bridge on where there were no side rails and the team scared at something and one mule pushed the other off, the fall killing it.

"The accident happened in Delaware Township and he will bring suit for damages. (Winchester Star)"

New Era, Dec. 27, 1906: (Johnny was city marshall of Valley Falls) "The city marshall having found all well on his beat at 3 o'clock Christmas morning, retired for a little sleep when a knock at his door aroused him. In his night dress, he opened the door to find himself confronting a man with blood on his eye inquiring for a missing horse and buggy.

"The marshal had put the horse in the feed stable. The man objected to parting with a quarter for stable charges . . . Hot words followed and a lively tussle ensued. In the melee, the waistband buttons of the marshal's gauzy garment flow off and his feet became entangled in the
fallen garb.

"Freeing himself, the marshal fled to his room for some needed apparel, but when he came clothed in battle array, his man was gone."

H. M. Dodge, nicknamed "Coal Oil Johnny," was later listed as "the cement man," and there is no other information available. (Source: Valley Falls Historical Society Newsletter, Dec. 29, 1970.)

June visitors

June visitors to the museum were:
Roy and Delores Haun, Canton, N.C.; Mike and Jen Goudzwaard, Lynnwood, Wash.; Laura Coker, Corpus Christi, Texas; Dennis Ferrell, Stillwater, Okla.; Elva Ferrell, Midwest City, Okla.; David and Susan Rader, Yukon, Okla.; Patricia Jamison, Greer, S.C.; Mr. and Mrs. Louis Geneva (Jayne Hurst), Cleveland Heights, Ohio; Sherry Hurst, Ashtabuch, Ohio; Pam Hurst Leitner, Divide, Colo.; Candace Hurst, Tijeras, N.M.; Roberta Hurst Watson, Roseville, Calif.; Linda Bono, Mayetta; Florence Kirby Schadt, Empria; Essie Newman Bays, Maple Hill; Elinor Cowell, Topeka; Pastors Dean and Norma Thompson, Concordia; Arthur Strawn, Nortonville, recently from Valley Falls; and Kris Brock, Jared Sloop, Eric Wilson, Marie Lange, Danny Lange, and Craig Gunther, all Valley Falls.
Roz Jackson, Roberta Holt and Betty Jane Wilson will be museum hosts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, July 5. Admission is free.

Father's Day displays

The museum will honor Dads with Happy Father's Day greetings from former days.

Poster cartoons of fatherly vocations and a floor scattered with tools of the trade enhance the display.

An assortment of flags from regulation to miniature size serve to honor Old Glory.

Roz Jackson, Roberta Holt, and Betty Jane Wilson will be the museum hosts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free.

Memorial Day visitors

Memorial Day holiday weekend visitors to the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum were:
Mailyn Bernthal, Lincoln, Neb.,; Helen and Hoot Gibson, Rapid City, S.D.; Bruce and Inez Timmons, San Antonio, Texas; Jerry and Lorraine Ferrell, Des Moines, Iowa; Rosemary (Murphy) and Earl Weissgerksen, Menominee, Mich.; Ina Neubauer, Oregon City, Ore.; John and Herta Frommer, Lee's Summit, Mo.; Rollie and Elizabeth Hester, Dallas; Steve and Lauren Stoskopf, Leawood; Marlene Reichart Towle, Overland Park; Alice Burns Edmond and Bethany and Theresa Crubel, Manhattan; Pat Wilkerson, El Dorado; Deanna Hardenburger, Olathe; Judy Basnett, Shawnee; Lois Reichart Beames, Charles and Norma McMullen, Shirley Allen, Roger Barnes, Marlene Smith, Janet Barnes Burton, and Vera Irwin, all Topeka; and Patsy Frommer, Lee Botkin, and Francis and Virginia Grollmes, all Valley Falls.
Darlene Glassel, Maxine Hefty and Mary Maxfield will be museum hosts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 31. Admission is free. Guided tours are available.
-Betty Jane Wilson, society president

Memorial Day and reunion hours

The museum will have special hours for visiting alumni and invites resdients to take a tour and see the many new displays.
The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and then again on Sunday, immediately following the reunion dinner at the township hall.
Guided tours will be available and the society will have calendars for sale.