by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Titled “Intended for an introduction to a movie of wheat harvest” and reminiscent of his youth laboring in the harvest field, the late historian Arthur Strawn, wrote the following:
“These are the golden days of Kansas. Hot work with the bodies of men at golden brown from labor in the sun. One wonders if the people of today with their labor in the shop and factory and homes with air conditioning are better for all their comforts, or are these men working hard and sweating in the sun, cooled by the prairie breezes of a summer day, later relaxing in the cool of the evening under the shade of the big trees and perhaps making a freezer of homemade ice cream, not the human that God intended them to be.
“The water boy bringing a jug of cool, sweet water from a well. How many of us remember a drink of that water that rivaled all the Cokes and Kool-Aid ever made.
“Threshing was a time for the gathering of the neighbors — when the harvest table was loaded down with the products of the farm and gardens. The women labored as hard in the kitchen preparing a feast for their men at dinner time as the men working in the fields or feeding the separator.
“This is the true gold that Coronado sought in Kansas in those far off days when this bountiful land was the home of the buffalo and the Indians. There was gold here, but its seekers were 400 hundred years too soon. It took the early-day pioneer who traveled to this country by covered wagon, enduring untold hardships from the heat, drought, and loneliness of this great country to break the virgin Prairie and plant the trees that now give the shade around these farm homes.
“These courageous people were the people whose hard work and sweat finally discovered ‘the real gold’ of these limitless prairies and left a heritage that today’s people can only strive to equal.
“Here on the farm of a man who is as ripe in years as his grain, and like his grain has brought to fruit a harvest of memories that no man today is likely to have in the years that are to come.
“This picture shows a way of life that is gone — a way of life even if full of hard work, had other compensations that were perhaps greater than any man today can boast. This way of life was a gracious life that was slow enough that a man had time to reflect upon what life meant and what God had done for him.”
Maxine Hefty and Geneva Lonard will be historical society museum hosts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 30.
May 28, 2009
February 24, 2009
President Lincoln's 200th
by Betty Jane Wilson
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum window displays reflect the outstanding calendar events for the month.
Huge “Happy 200th birthday Abe” greetings hail the 200th birthday of the United States’s 16th President Abraham Lincoln.
A miniature, full-length silhouette caricature affirms Mr. Lincoln’s physical dimensions in his own words: “If any personal description of me is thought desirable, it may be said, I am in height 6 ft., 4 inches, nearly, lean in flesh, weighing on average 189 pounds, dark complexion with coarse black hair and grey eyes — no other marks or brands recollected by A. Lincoln, Dec. 20, 1858.”
The veterans window scene honors two presidents on Presidents’ Day, a holiday celebrated the third Monday in February. Previously celebrated individually, the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were combined and a three-day holiday declared to pay tribute to all who have served as presidents of the United States of America.
Watch for future window displays created by a younger generation of citizens, and hopefully, future historians of the Valley Falls community.
The society museum’s opening date and schedule of Saturday hosts will be announced later.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum window displays reflect the outstanding calendar events for the month.
Huge “Happy 200th birthday Abe” greetings hail the 200th birthday of the United States’s 16th President Abraham Lincoln.
A miniature, full-length silhouette caricature affirms Mr. Lincoln’s physical dimensions in his own words: “If any personal description of me is thought desirable, it may be said, I am in height 6 ft., 4 inches, nearly, lean in flesh, weighing on average 189 pounds, dark complexion with coarse black hair and grey eyes — no other marks or brands recollected by A. Lincoln, Dec. 20, 1858.”
The veterans window scene honors two presidents on Presidents’ Day, a holiday celebrated the third Monday in February. Previously celebrated individually, the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were combined and a three-day holiday declared to pay tribute to all who have served as presidents of the United States of America.
Watch for future window displays created by a younger generation of citizens, and hopefully, future historians of the Valley Falls community.
The society museum’s opening date and schedule of Saturday hosts will be announced later.
February 18, 2009
Arthur Strawn, editor (and philosopher)
by Betty Jane Wilson
“I will call it ‘IF’ — a bit of prose from an unknown source. It has a number of interesting ideas,” concluded the late editor, Arthur Strawn, in the Nov. 28, 1972, issue of the Valley Falls Historical Society Newsletter, commenting on the following:
“IF the races of men should suddenly disappear from the earth, leaving only the animals, great changes would take place. For a time, the works of men would remain, but gradually the lofty buildings in our cities would crumble and collapse, the railroads would become thin lines of rusty steel buried in tangles of weeds, farms would be covered with brush and with great forests, the roads would become merely paths for animals, and in place of fertile fields and villages and busy cities the ancient jungle would return. External Nature would remain much the same as now. Season would succeed season, the rivers would flow as majestically as ever to the sea, the moon and stars would shine or would be blotted out by great storms; the woods would be filled with the music of bird song or the fragrance of flowers, or, in winter, would be clothed in their mantle of snow. And the animal world would be much the same as now, except that the wild beasts would become bolder and more numerous and the animals that man has tamed or has made his companions would become wild or would be destroyed by enemies.
In such a world, no more progress of the sort that seems progress to us would be possible. There would still be such primitive methods of living as animals use. The races of animals would still keep up some such form of communication as they now seem to have. But no cooperation, working together for a safer and happier mode of living comes from this faint sense of relationship that members of an animal race feel for one another.
One reason for this failure is that the imagination and memory of animals are very small. We have no evidence that the beauty of Nature—a vista in a forest or the grandeur of mountains — produce any effect on the animals. They have no records of their past history or permanent records of any kind. Mankind can see into the past or the future, and can see what he wishes to bring to pass . . .”
— Arthur R. Strawn, Editor.
Arthur edited the society newsletter from the late 1960s through most of 1970. He devoted time and effort to conscientious reporting of society happenings, local activities, community time and tribulations with an occasional personal observation or musing material providing a priceless historical record for Valley Falls.
The society museum remains closed through February. March opening date and Saturday host schedules will be announced later.
“I will call it ‘IF’ — a bit of prose from an unknown source. It has a number of interesting ideas,” concluded the late editor, Arthur Strawn, in the Nov. 28, 1972, issue of the Valley Falls Historical Society Newsletter, commenting on the following:
“IF the races of men should suddenly disappear from the earth, leaving only the animals, great changes would take place. For a time, the works of men would remain, but gradually the lofty buildings in our cities would crumble and collapse, the railroads would become thin lines of rusty steel buried in tangles of weeds, farms would be covered with brush and with great forests, the roads would become merely paths for animals, and in place of fertile fields and villages and busy cities the ancient jungle would return. External Nature would remain much the same as now. Season would succeed season, the rivers would flow as majestically as ever to the sea, the moon and stars would shine or would be blotted out by great storms; the woods would be filled with the music of bird song or the fragrance of flowers, or, in winter, would be clothed in their mantle of snow. And the animal world would be much the same as now, except that the wild beasts would become bolder and more numerous and the animals that man has tamed or has made his companions would become wild or would be destroyed by enemies.
In such a world, no more progress of the sort that seems progress to us would be possible. There would still be such primitive methods of living as animals use. The races of animals would still keep up some such form of communication as they now seem to have. But no cooperation, working together for a safer and happier mode of living comes from this faint sense of relationship that members of an animal race feel for one another.
One reason for this failure is that the imagination and memory of animals are very small. We have no evidence that the beauty of Nature—a vista in a forest or the grandeur of mountains — produce any effect on the animals. They have no records of their past history or permanent records of any kind. Mankind can see into the past or the future, and can see what he wishes to bring to pass . . .”
— Arthur R. Strawn, Editor.
Arthur edited the society newsletter from the late 1960s through most of 1970. He devoted time and effort to conscientious reporting of society happenings, local activities, community time and tribulations with an occasional personal observation or musing material providing a priceless historical record for Valley Falls.
The society museum remains closed through February. March opening date and Saturday host schedules will be announced later.
February 17, 2009
Timetables: CBs
Reprinted with permission from the February 12, 2009, Valley Falls Vindicator:
Timetables
Ryan Gier brought us a historical document bringing back memories of the CB days of the 1970s. A booklet titled “Jeff Co. CB Club” contains nearly 400 names of county residents along with their CB handle and phone number. Printed approximately 30 years ago during the CB craze, the booklet was sponsored by 48 merchants, only eight of which still exist. To recall the days of “Breaker 19 good buddy,” here are some of the CB handles and their owners:
Babysitter, Jerry Logsdon; Chatty Kathy, Kathy Zwygart; Donald Duck, Don Carder; Blue Streak, Ted Montgomery; Egg Lady, Marcella Ryan; Green Grasshopper, Delbert Stockwell; Little Fireball, Cary Brosa; Limestone Cowboy, G.W. Conser; Little Blue Bird, Jacque Mill; Moby Dick, Jim Billings; Meat Man, Terry Metzger; Lady Dressmaker, Arlene Gier; Milk Man, Melvin Brose; Silver Bird, Rick Ferrell; Square Wheels, Mel Langston; Store Keeper, Gary Coleman; Typesetter, Dale Jepson; Trip Hammer Jr., Gary Royer; Trash Man, Larkin Ferrell; Teacher, Karen Strickler.
These were all from Valley Falls. We’ll have more from around the county in an upcoming edition and then Ryan said to add the book to the museum archives.
Timetables
Ryan Gier brought us a historical document bringing back memories of the CB days of the 1970s. A booklet titled “Jeff Co. CB Club” contains nearly 400 names of county residents along with their CB handle and phone number. Printed approximately 30 years ago during the CB craze, the booklet was sponsored by 48 merchants, only eight of which still exist. To recall the days of “Breaker 19 good buddy,” here are some of the CB handles and their owners:
Babysitter, Jerry Logsdon; Chatty Kathy, Kathy Zwygart; Donald Duck, Don Carder; Blue Streak, Ted Montgomery; Egg Lady, Marcella Ryan; Green Grasshopper, Delbert Stockwell; Little Fireball, Cary Brosa; Limestone Cowboy, G.W. Conser; Little Blue Bird, Jacque Mill; Moby Dick, Jim Billings; Meat Man, Terry Metzger; Lady Dressmaker, Arlene Gier; Milk Man, Melvin Brose; Silver Bird, Rick Ferrell; Square Wheels, Mel Langston; Store Keeper, Gary Coleman; Typesetter, Dale Jepson; Trip Hammer Jr., Gary Royer; Trash Man, Larkin Ferrell; Teacher, Karen Strickler.
These were all from Valley Falls. We’ll have more from around the county in an upcoming edition and then Ryan said to add the book to the museum archives.
Reprinted with permission from the February 5, 2009, Valley Falls Vindicator:
Dear Friends of Arthur Strawn:
Our family would like to express gratitude to the friends and family who came to the memorial service at the Mercer Funeral Home Saturday, Jan. 31. It was a peaceful, orderly service orchestrated by Jim Braum who walked us through the service that were not yet preplanned, and those final decisions so unfamiliar to us.
The close-knit, personalized memorial was very comforting to all of us. It was grand to hear others rejoicing in Art’s life by sharing fond memories with us.
Pastor Mike Kirby set the opening tone with these words: “God gave us the gift of memory…to comfort one another” and reminded us we were gathered to celebrate Art’s life and how his life touched so many others.
Rick Johnson, friend, adviser, and attorney for Art, defined Art’s life for us by using two words: Care Giver. The words together and separately are apt descriptions of the Uncle Art I have always known. Rick’s words helped us to honor Art from the heart.
Art cared for others and gave to others. He took responsibility for others and then acted on it. He was a proud veteran of World War II, having served in the South Pacific. He was proud of the USA, Kansas, Jefferson County and of course, Valley Falls. He was a student all his life with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.
Uncle Art shared his passion for learning with my sisters and me, always challenging us to learn more than was required in school. He often spoke words of great wisdom, on many topics, and it was from him I learned to appreciate the value of history and the virtue of being accurate.
Betty Jane Wilson quoted Art Strawn from the Valley Falls Historical Society Newsletter, giving everyone an insight into his depth of thought. “We must preserve the facts of the present and set straight the records of the past…(the purpose of a historical society) is not just one more social group. It carries the burden of collecting and processing material but its service must be to the whole community. No finer way exists to promote interest and pride than a local historical society.”
What a legacy! But this quote is also how a family should be viewed: Honor, personal responsibility, truth, then ‘being and becoming’ the best we can be for one another. These values were Uncle Art’s values, and they are also eternal values.
Longtime neighbors and friends Linda and Frank Stansell spoke of their friendship with Uncle Art. Linda said “I know Art is in a better place. I bet Art is there telling the good Lord that he will get a file cabinet and get the Lord’s history all straightened out for Him.”
Those who knew Uncle Art’s passion for accuracy and orderliness rejoiced together with a good laugh—one my Uncle Art would have shared. Yet how typical of Art’s honesty and how timely in today’s world when truth and accuracy are so often set aside for something expedient.
There were two young women and their now grown children who stopped to share a moment with my sisters and me. They had lived nearby and told us how Art had been helpful for their children. I wonder if they are the “young friends” Uncle Art mentioned with such fondness, who owned a black dog named “Lady” who had adopted Art.
Then, Mary Jane Burns, a school teacher, shared her stories of sending students to “Ask Art.” She went on to explain how Art helped her further her college education by being a source for information on her thesis. Thanks, Mary Jane, for understanding how valuable Uncle Art was. He was always a resource for us.
Frank Shrimplin described the Uncle Art I knew as humble and never bragging even with his many talents. Mr. Shrimplin shared his personal thoughts with us and then presented us with a beautiful poem of friendship, written by another long time friend, Mary Powell of Topeka.
The VFW gravesite presentation was with full military honors. I am a service connected disabled veteran (Vietnam Era/7th Army Europe), and was greatly moved. The Honors Unit presented themselves with dignity, reminding us of the need of service to our country, as well as Uncle Art’s honorable service. In Art’s belongings we found four Navy medals, still in their original boxes. So like Uncle Art to have them carefully marked but modestly put away.
These people who came together were from all age groups and backgrounds, adding even more to the depth of love and respect my sisters and I have for our Uncle Art. He was an inspiration to us. It was wonderful to share this appreciation of his inspiration with others who also knew his special qualities. If grief can be tempered by a few hours together, sharing common ideals and love for a fine man, this memorial service achieved just that end.
How comforting to know that the tapestry of Uncle Art Strawn’s life is woven so beautifully through time, in memories, and into history. It is comforting to know that one man’s life, that meant so much to us, could mean so much to so many others.
Thank you, Valley Falls, for being there to say “farewell” so beautifully, to our uncle, Art Strawn.
—Susan (Strawn) Rader, Yukon, Okla.
Dear Friends of Arthur Strawn:
Our family would like to express gratitude to the friends and family who came to the memorial service at the Mercer Funeral Home Saturday, Jan. 31. It was a peaceful, orderly service orchestrated by Jim Braum who walked us through the service that were not yet preplanned, and those final decisions so unfamiliar to us.
The close-knit, personalized memorial was very comforting to all of us. It was grand to hear others rejoicing in Art’s life by sharing fond memories with us.
Pastor Mike Kirby set the opening tone with these words: “God gave us the gift of memory…to comfort one another” and reminded us we were gathered to celebrate Art’s life and how his life touched so many others.
Rick Johnson, friend, adviser, and attorney for Art, defined Art’s life for us by using two words: Care Giver. The words together and separately are apt descriptions of the Uncle Art I have always known. Rick’s words helped us to honor Art from the heart.
Art cared for others and gave to others. He took responsibility for others and then acted on it. He was a proud veteran of World War II, having served in the South Pacific. He was proud of the USA, Kansas, Jefferson County and of course, Valley Falls. He was a student all his life with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.
Uncle Art shared his passion for learning with my sisters and me, always challenging us to learn more than was required in school. He often spoke words of great wisdom, on many topics, and it was from him I learned to appreciate the value of history and the virtue of being accurate.
Betty Jane Wilson quoted Art Strawn from the Valley Falls Historical Society Newsletter, giving everyone an insight into his depth of thought. “We must preserve the facts of the present and set straight the records of the past…(the purpose of a historical society) is not just one more social group. It carries the burden of collecting and processing material but its service must be to the whole community. No finer way exists to promote interest and pride than a local historical society.”
What a legacy! But this quote is also how a family should be viewed: Honor, personal responsibility, truth, then ‘being and becoming’ the best we can be for one another. These values were Uncle Art’s values, and they are also eternal values.
Longtime neighbors and friends Linda and Frank Stansell spoke of their friendship with Uncle Art. Linda said “I know Art is in a better place. I bet Art is there telling the good Lord that he will get a file cabinet and get the Lord’s history all straightened out for Him.”
Those who knew Uncle Art’s passion for accuracy and orderliness rejoiced together with a good laugh—one my Uncle Art would have shared. Yet how typical of Art’s honesty and how timely in today’s world when truth and accuracy are so often set aside for something expedient.
There were two young women and their now grown children who stopped to share a moment with my sisters and me. They had lived nearby and told us how Art had been helpful for their children. I wonder if they are the “young friends” Uncle Art mentioned with such fondness, who owned a black dog named “Lady” who had adopted Art.
Then, Mary Jane Burns, a school teacher, shared her stories of sending students to “Ask Art.” She went on to explain how Art helped her further her college education by being a source for information on her thesis. Thanks, Mary Jane, for understanding how valuable Uncle Art was. He was always a resource for us.
Frank Shrimplin described the Uncle Art I knew as humble and never bragging even with his many talents. Mr. Shrimplin shared his personal thoughts with us and then presented us with a beautiful poem of friendship, written by another long time friend, Mary Powell of Topeka.
The VFW gravesite presentation was with full military honors. I am a service connected disabled veteran (Vietnam Era/7th Army Europe), and was greatly moved. The Honors Unit presented themselves with dignity, reminding us of the need of service to our country, as well as Uncle Art’s honorable service. In Art’s belongings we found four Navy medals, still in their original boxes. So like Uncle Art to have them carefully marked but modestly put away.
These people who came together were from all age groups and backgrounds, adding even more to the depth of love and respect my sisters and I have for our Uncle Art. He was an inspiration to us. It was wonderful to share this appreciation of his inspiration with others who also knew his special qualities. If grief can be tempered by a few hours together, sharing common ideals and love for a fine man, this memorial service achieved just that end.
How comforting to know that the tapestry of Uncle Art Strawn’s life is woven so beautifully through time, in memories, and into history. It is comforting to know that one man’s life, that meant so much to us, could mean so much to so many others.
Thank you, Valley Falls, for being there to say “farewell” so beautifully, to our uncle, Art Strawn.
—Susan (Strawn) Rader, Yukon, Okla.
January 28, 2009
A Tribute
by Betty Jane Wilson, president VFHS
The recent days have seen the demise of a number of kind and gentle souls from our midst.
This turning of the pages of the ‘Book of Life’ by HIM who has it in his keeping, saddens us, but should remind us that it is not what we might have done that is important.” Penned by the late Arthur Strawn, historian and editor of the Valley Falls Historical Society Newsletter dated Dec. 29, 1970.
Nearly four decades later and almost prophetically, we are saddened by the demise of two lifetime members and avid supporters of the Valley Falls Historical Society, Milton Reichart, anthropologist, author, and past president of the society, and Arthur Strawn, one of the founders, first president and long-time historian.
Adamant advocate of historical accuracy and preservation of facts, historian Strawn once wrote “a historical society is unique among the institutions of a community. It is not just one more social group, but ranks with the public library in that its membership corresponds to the library board and must carry the burden of collecting and preserving materials, but its services must be to the whole community. No finer way exists to promote interest and pride in a community than by a local historical society.”
Recognizing Arthur’s superlative qualifications as an historian and adviser, past president, Milton Reichart honored him with these words “One term that would characterize and typify the history of Valley Falls is ‘Ask Art,’ whenever someone makes inquiry of a Valley Falls citizen concerning something about the town’s history, sooner or later, the citizens will be heard to say ‘Ask Art.’ ”
The legacy of Arthur Strawn, his devotion and adherance to factural history, his contributions to the Valley Falls Historical Society and museum and entire community will grace the annals of Valley Falls history.
How long? Ask Art.
The historical society remains closed through February. Call (875) 945-3576, Betty Jane Wilson, for information or arrangements for visits.
The recent days have seen the demise of a number of kind and gentle souls from our midst.
This turning of the pages of the ‘Book of Life’ by HIM who has it in his keeping, saddens us, but should remind us that it is not what we might have done that is important.” Penned by the late Arthur Strawn, historian and editor of the Valley Falls Historical Society Newsletter dated Dec. 29, 1970.
Nearly four decades later and almost prophetically, we are saddened by the demise of two lifetime members and avid supporters of the Valley Falls Historical Society, Milton Reichart, anthropologist, author, and past president of the society, and Arthur Strawn, one of the founders, first president and long-time historian.
Adamant advocate of historical accuracy and preservation of facts, historian Strawn once wrote “a historical society is unique among the institutions of a community. It is not just one more social group, but ranks with the public library in that its membership corresponds to the library board and must carry the burden of collecting and preserving materials, but its services must be to the whole community. No finer way exists to promote interest and pride in a community than by a local historical society.”
Recognizing Arthur’s superlative qualifications as an historian and adviser, past president, Milton Reichart honored him with these words “One term that would characterize and typify the history of Valley Falls is ‘Ask Art,’ whenever someone makes inquiry of a Valley Falls citizen concerning something about the town’s history, sooner or later, the citizens will be heard to say ‘Ask Art.’ ”
The legacy of Arthur Strawn, his devotion and adherance to factural history, his contributions to the Valley Falls Historical Society and museum and entire community will grace the annals of Valley Falls history.
How long? Ask Art.
The historical society remains closed through February. Call (875) 945-3576, Betty Jane Wilson, for information or arrangements for visits.
January 16, 2009
Historical record lows
by Betty Jane Wilson
From Greenland’s icy mountains to the arid Sahara Sands, extreme weather conditions play dominant rolls in the annals of history.
Valley Falls history claims the following record low temperatures:
• From the Valley Falls New Era, Jan. 10, 1884, Patrick of the post office, recalled on the first of January, 1864, “the thermometer stood at 30 degrees below zero.”
• From the Valley Falls Vindicator, Jan. 24, 1930, “The thermometer registered 31 degrees below, the lowest in 30 years.”
• The Vindicator, Jan. 8, 1947, reported, “In just a week’s time, from Dec. 27 to Jan. 3, the mercury tumbled 103 degrees from 73 degrees
above to 31 degrees below.”
Extremes do make history; however, sometimes normalcy is preferable.
From Greenland’s icy mountains to the arid Sahara Sands, extreme weather conditions play dominant rolls in the annals of history.
Valley Falls history claims the following record low temperatures:
• From the Valley Falls New Era, Jan. 10, 1884, Patrick of the post office, recalled on the first of January, 1864, “the thermometer stood at 30 degrees below zero.”
• From the Valley Falls Vindicator, Jan. 24, 1930, “The thermometer registered 31 degrees below, the lowest in 30 years.”
• The Vindicator, Jan. 8, 1947, reported, “In just a week’s time, from Dec. 27 to Jan. 3, the mercury tumbled 103 degrees from 73 degrees
above to 31 degrees below.”
Extremes do make history; however, sometimes normalcy is preferable.
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