— compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
The Kansas New Era, December 11, 1873, nearly one century and a half past of Valley Falls history, reported "Hard Times. No Potatoes in Town."
Without further comment on the town's nutrition plight continued, "Five inches of snow last Sunday. Sleighs and sleds of every conceivable kind and description could be seen on our streets last Saturday. We saw a portly gent sit down on the pavement of Sycamore Street very suddenly last Saturday morning. He wears spikes in his boot heels now.
"All day last Sunday a huge and stern looking statue, with a large club in his hand, kept watch and war?? in front of Mr. Lutt's house on Walnut Street, but during Sunday night it vanished away like a phantom; it is needed less to add, it was a snowman."
A few months earlier, September 1873, the same publication published a now historic listing of businesses and professionals of the pioneer village, Grasshopper Falls, later christened Valley Falls.
Following are those who dared to share in the town's growth:
W.D. Lane, Attorney; A.M. Cown, homeopathic physician and surgeon; J. Becand, notary public; Valley Bank and Savings; Sawyer and Mitchell, Broadway Meat Market; J.T.B. Gephart, physician; E.M. Coluin, Mgr., Cataract House; Frazier and Wetherholt, grocers; L.A. Myers, drugs, books, stationary, Magazines; Lord and Waite, manufacturers and dealers in books and shoes;
Weber and Keplinger, dealers in ready made clothing, groceries, etc.; Beland, Meyers and Best, dealers in drugs, medicince, groceries, etc.; J.J. Winterburg, manufacturers and dealers in saddles, harness and collars; W.D. Ward, house and sign painting and paper hanging; Wm. Crosby, dealers in stoves, tinware, and implements; J.W. Eshelman, auctioneer; John R. Lambert, auctioneer; Wm. Clark, justice of the peace and police judge; Strickland and Bliss Hardware, tin ware and agricultural implements;
W. E. Parker, grain, coal, plaster and cement; A. W. Post, Grasshopper Falls Mill; Crosby and Kendall, dealers in dry goods, groceries, clothing and boots; E.M. Hutchens, Broadway Livery; L.F. Eggers, Attorney at Law and land agent; I.O.O.F. Crescent Lodge No. 86; Masonic Lodge; L. Northrup, physician and surgeon; D.J.B. Gish physician and surgeon; T.A. Aitkin, dentist; Prof. A.F. Gibsen, violen lessons; Felix Theibaud, restaurant; A. Wirtz, watchmaker and jeweler; W.C. Butts, land agent; Valley Bank and Savings; Great Western Blacksmith and Wagon Shop, V.F. Newman and Co.; Pioneer Shop Blacksmithing, S.H. Dunn; F.A. Dudgeon and Co., coal and lumber.
The museum will be open starting at 10 a.m. Saturday.
December 17, 2013
December window displays at museum
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
"Toyland, Joyland, Girl and Boyland" words from the 1903 Broadway musical, "Babes inToyland," inspired the December historical society museum window display.
A giant Christmas tree docorated with colored Christmas ornaments and twinkling lights predominates with a host of dolls and toys surrounding the holiday tree.
Yesteryear TiddlyWinks and dominoes grab the attention with gifts from other past and more recent generations that capture the viewer's eye and help fill the wish book.
A "Happy Birthday Grasshopper Falls 1854-2013" poster reminder completes the scene.
The veterans' window framed with gold garland interspersed with bright red poinsettias, features a miniature Christmas tree decorated with subdued patriotic ribbon and twinkling lights encircled with military service flags. American flags and "Support our Troops" reminder complete the holiday scene.
The Valley Falls museum will be open Saturday, Dec. 21, at 10 a.m.
"Toyland, Joyland, Girl and Boyland" words from the 1903 Broadway musical, "Babes inToyland," inspired the December historical society museum window display.
A giant Christmas tree docorated with colored Christmas ornaments and twinkling lights predominates with a host of dolls and toys surrounding the holiday tree.
Yesteryear TiddlyWinks and dominoes grab the attention with gifts from other past and more recent generations that capture the viewer's eye and help fill the wish book.
A "Happy Birthday Grasshopper Falls 1854-2013" poster reminder completes the scene.
The veterans' window framed with gold garland interspersed with bright red poinsettias, features a miniature Christmas tree decorated with subdued patriotic ribbon and twinkling lights encircled with military service flags. American flags and "Support our Troops" reminder complete the holiday scene.
The Valley Falls museum will be open Saturday, Dec. 21, at 10 a.m.
December 05, 2013
Horse thieves in Grasshopper Falls
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president,
According to the 1863 Kansas Jeffersonian news publication, Grasshopper Falls was plagued with horse thievery woes (no pun intended). Following is one of the tales (woops!)
Oct. 28, 1863:
"A couple of bold jaywalkers—Mr. Herman, keeper of the Travelers' home one mile east of town, had two valuable mares stolen just in the edge of the evening on Monday last.
"The thieves were in garb of soldiers and represented themselves to one of our settlers as jennison's men. They were in town just before dark enquiring the route to Nebraska City, which course they did in fact take.
"A part of our citizens were soon in close pursuit who pressed the scoundrels so hard that they quit the stolen animals and probably took to the brush on foot. The horses were found yesterday morning on their way home."
November 4, 1863:
"Mr. Eli Evans of Oskaloosa was lately robbed of $1500 on Kaw bottom. Mr. Evans was in the employ of S.L. North of Leavenworth who furnished the above sum of money for said Evans to buy horses with.
"Mr. E. was on his way to Topeka and had nearly reached the ferry when stopped by the highwaymen. There were four of the robbers. After securing the money, together with a pistol and $60 belonging to young Evans, they attempted to make way with him, but fortunately he escaped.
"The two thieves who stole Newman's horses were caught at Hiawatha. One of them was retained by the citizens there to pay them for assisting to catch the scoundrels. The other who goes by the name of Scott, was brought back to our place on Saturday.
"We saw the gentleman—a hard looking customer in soldier clothes—had a faint resemblance to the 'Grim Chieftan.' He proved to be a deserter from a Nebraska regiment and an old hand at horse stealing.
"It is said that he made some startling developments implicating certain persons at the lower end of the county. He had an unrighteous looking knife on his person when captured. It was upwards of a foot long.
"After he had said all that he was disposed to on the subject of his chosen profession, he was allowed to accompany a small party on a light scouting expedition, himself tied upon a horse.
"When the party returned along toward daylight Sunday morning, Mr. Thief was missing and the party did not seem disposed to render a satisfactory explanation of his mysterious disappearance. He probably 'went up a tree' temporarily."
November 18, 1863:
"Andrew Ogden, one of the theives who stole Newman's horses, is now in the Atchison County jail. So says the Champion (Atchison news) having been handed over by the citizens of Hiawatha for safe keeping."
December 23, 1863:
The Atchison Champion says, "An unknown gentleman was found hanging by the neck last week in the timber on Stranger Creek a few miles southwest of town. It is conjecture that he fell a victim to the established prejudice in the community against horse stealing."
—Yesteryears, April 1993
The local museum will be open Saturday starting at 10 a.m.
According to the 1863 Kansas Jeffersonian news publication, Grasshopper Falls was plagued with horse thievery woes (no pun intended). Following is one of the tales (woops!)
Oct. 28, 1863:
"A couple of bold jaywalkers—Mr. Herman, keeper of the Travelers' home one mile east of town, had two valuable mares stolen just in the edge of the evening on Monday last.
"The thieves were in garb of soldiers and represented themselves to one of our settlers as jennison's men. They were in town just before dark enquiring the route to Nebraska City, which course they did in fact take.
"A part of our citizens were soon in close pursuit who pressed the scoundrels so hard that they quit the stolen animals and probably took to the brush on foot. The horses were found yesterday morning on their way home."
November 4, 1863:
"Mr. Eli Evans of Oskaloosa was lately robbed of $1500 on Kaw bottom. Mr. Evans was in the employ of S.L. North of Leavenworth who furnished the above sum of money for said Evans to buy horses with.
"Mr. E. was on his way to Topeka and had nearly reached the ferry when stopped by the highwaymen. There were four of the robbers. After securing the money, together with a pistol and $60 belonging to young Evans, they attempted to make way with him, but fortunately he escaped.
"The two thieves who stole Newman's horses were caught at Hiawatha. One of them was retained by the citizens there to pay them for assisting to catch the scoundrels. The other who goes by the name of Scott, was brought back to our place on Saturday.
"We saw the gentleman—a hard looking customer in soldier clothes—had a faint resemblance to the 'Grim Chieftan.' He proved to be a deserter from a Nebraska regiment and an old hand at horse stealing.
"It is said that he made some startling developments implicating certain persons at the lower end of the county. He had an unrighteous looking knife on his person when captured. It was upwards of a foot long.
"After he had said all that he was disposed to on the subject of his chosen profession, he was allowed to accompany a small party on a light scouting expedition, himself tied upon a horse.
"When the party returned along toward daylight Sunday morning, Mr. Thief was missing and the party did not seem disposed to render a satisfactory explanation of his mysterious disappearance. He probably 'went up a tree' temporarily."
November 18, 1863:
"Andrew Ogden, one of the theives who stole Newman's horses, is now in the Atchison County jail. So says the Champion (Atchison news) having been handed over by the citizens of Hiawatha for safe keeping."
December 23, 1863:
The Atchison Champion says, "An unknown gentleman was found hanging by the neck last week in the timber on Stranger Creek a few miles southwest of town. It is conjecture that he fell a victim to the established prejudice in the community against horse stealing."
—Yesteryears, April 1993
The local museum will be open Saturday starting at 10 a.m.
November 27, 2013
Bits of railroad history
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
A search through the Valley Falls Historical Society files brought to light a compilation of railroad tales — quotes and excerpts by society member Lorene Catron in 1981.
Excerpts from the compilation include "It was 1859 before the railroad systems reached this area, which was St. Joseph, Mo. A great advancement for the railroads was the use of windmills which were introduced by the railroads. Union Pacific had 70 large windmills they used for pumping water for use on the locomotives. One of the largest towers was 72 feet high with a wheel 25 feet across. . . . The railroads were not welcomed by the boat people, especially in the South. They fought them all, going so far as to sabatage the bridges across the river ways.
"Besides the boat and bridge shippers, rival railroad crews would sabotage each other in order to hold its territory. Americans were enchanted with the 'iron horse.' In 10 years railroad promoters got 33 million acres across the people's land. In fact additional grants came to 155 million acres or one-ninth of what was the entire nation's land area.
"In planning the railroads, Indian rights were ignored, and 31 million buffalo were slaughtered in Kansas alone.
"In 1863 the State of Kansas got the odd numbered sections of land for ten miles each side of a projected railroad and the railroad got the other.
"The railroad, west and south, intercepted thousands of cattle grazing grounds. For twenty years herds of cattle were driven to Newton, Wichita, Dodge City, Kinsley, etc., to be loaded.
"Even with free land it took capital to build a railroad. Counties voted money, towns voted land and cash for terminals, and individuals invested $400 or $500 apiece to start grading.
"A village of 100 people would float a bond for $50,000 to get a railroad--a train or two would go over it and soon there would be 1000 people. Business would boom, real estate prices soared--farms started and everybody won.
"The Santa Fe was late in getting started, but in 1871 work started from both ends, that is from Topeka to Atchison. It was completed in 1872.
"At that time, trains ran by smoke and headlights. The crews kept Winchester rifles handy. Besides drunken cowboys shooting up the headlights and raiding lonely depots, Indians and prairie fires plagued the new railroads.
"The trains had no vestibules on their passenger cars. Conductors and brakemen leaped from one car to the next car. There were no lavatories. Coal stoves heated the cars in winter. Before 1873 you brought your own lunch.
"There were no track fences. It was cheaper to pay half the value of the livestock hit, than to build fences.
"The fabulous part the Santa Fe and other railroads played in the settling of this country is almost forgotten.
"Before the railroads moved in, only a few thousand people were in the territory.
"In a few short weeks, with a railroad--the population doubled and trebled.
"The men who built the first railroads were young New Englanders. They spent $50,000,000 with no money misspent. The 'Work Train' which laid out the railroads was a 'Town on Wheels.'
"Laying of the rails was like a military operation: First there were: Surveyors—locators—graders—bridge builders, next an army of men placing ties—laying track—spiking down the rails—ballasting—completing the road.
"Along the line just completed came a train of long boxcars, a town on wheels. Next came loads of ties--rails—spikes, which were thrown off the side.
"A light horse-drawn wagon or cart, was loaded up and went forward, one on each side of the tracks. They laid four rails to a minute; goal was one mile a day.
"Each camp looked like a town.
"Another camp would be established 140 miles or so west. In a new camp would come, knocked down, buildings, tents, wooden sidings and entire roofs.
"These were 'Hell on Wheels' for the vilest of men and women, gamblers and desperadoes made up these settlements."
A search through the Valley Falls Historical Society files brought to light a compilation of railroad tales — quotes and excerpts by society member Lorene Catron in 1981.
Excerpts from the compilation include "It was 1859 before the railroad systems reached this area, which was St. Joseph, Mo. A great advancement for the railroads was the use of windmills which were introduced by the railroads. Union Pacific had 70 large windmills they used for pumping water for use on the locomotives. One of the largest towers was 72 feet high with a wheel 25 feet across. . . . The railroads were not welcomed by the boat people, especially in the South. They fought them all, going so far as to sabatage the bridges across the river ways.
"Besides the boat and bridge shippers, rival railroad crews would sabotage each other in order to hold its territory. Americans were enchanted with the 'iron horse.' In 10 years railroad promoters got 33 million acres across the people's land. In fact additional grants came to 155 million acres or one-ninth of what was the entire nation's land area.
"In planning the railroads, Indian rights were ignored, and 31 million buffalo were slaughtered in Kansas alone.
"In 1863 the State of Kansas got the odd numbered sections of land for ten miles each side of a projected railroad and the railroad got the other.
"The railroad, west and south, intercepted thousands of cattle grazing grounds. For twenty years herds of cattle were driven to Newton, Wichita, Dodge City, Kinsley, etc., to be loaded.
"Even with free land it took capital to build a railroad. Counties voted money, towns voted land and cash for terminals, and individuals invested $400 or $500 apiece to start grading.
"A village of 100 people would float a bond for $50,000 to get a railroad--a train or two would go over it and soon there would be 1000 people. Business would boom, real estate prices soared--farms started and everybody won.
"The Santa Fe was late in getting started, but in 1871 work started from both ends, that is from Topeka to Atchison. It was completed in 1872.
"At that time, trains ran by smoke and headlights. The crews kept Winchester rifles handy. Besides drunken cowboys shooting up the headlights and raiding lonely depots, Indians and prairie fires plagued the new railroads.
"The trains had no vestibules on their passenger cars. Conductors and brakemen leaped from one car to the next car. There were no lavatories. Coal stoves heated the cars in winter. Before 1873 you brought your own lunch.
"There were no track fences. It was cheaper to pay half the value of the livestock hit, than to build fences.
"The fabulous part the Santa Fe and other railroads played in the settling of this country is almost forgotten.
"Before the railroads moved in, only a few thousand people were in the territory.
"In a few short weeks, with a railroad--the population doubled and trebled.
"The men who built the first railroads were young New Englanders. They spent $50,000,000 with no money misspent. The 'Work Train' which laid out the railroads was a 'Town on Wheels.'
"Laying of the rails was like a military operation: First there were: Surveyors—locators—graders—bridge builders, next an army of men placing ties—laying track—spiking down the rails—ballasting—completing the road.
"Along the line just completed came a train of long boxcars, a town on wheels. Next came loads of ties--rails—spikes, which were thrown off the side.
"A light horse-drawn wagon or cart, was loaded up and went forward, one on each side of the tracks. They laid four rails to a minute; goal was one mile a day.
"Each camp looked like a town.
"Another camp would be established 140 miles or so west. In a new camp would come, knocked down, buildings, tents, wooden sidings and entire roofs.
"These were 'Hell on Wheels' for the vilest of men and women, gamblers and desperadoes made up these settlements."
November 05, 2013
Come see us at the bazaar!
The Valley Falls Historical Society will be represented at the Fall Community Bazaar Saturday, Nov. 9, in the Valley Falls High School gymnasium.
The society's booth will offer for sale its 2014 historical society calendars and other memorabilia and application forms for engraved memorial bricks.
The museum downtown will be open from 10 a.m. to noon only that day except by advance arrangements.
The society's booth will offer for sale its 2014 historical society calendars and other memorabilia and application forms for engraved memorial bricks.
The museum downtown will be open from 10 a.m. to noon only that day except by advance arrangements.
October 29, 2013
"Wild Bill" Hickok in Valley Falls history
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
Perhaps lesser known in Valley Falls history than William "Buffalo Bill" Cody, James "Wild Bill" Hickok has some association with the town and community.
Bill Hickok was involved in a shoot-out and killed a man named Dave Tutt at Springfield, Mo., in July 1865. Ben Heuertz, secretary-treasurer of the Valley Falls Historical Society, related the story at the December 28, 1971, meeting of the society.
Heuertz emphasized that various versions of the shoot-out were given by those who may or may not have been present. The trial of Hickok took place Aug. 5, 1865. The jury took about 10 minutes to render a verdict after the judge instructed the jurors in the following 16 points:
1st. If they believe from the evidence that the defendant intentionally shot at the deceased, Dave Tutt, and the death of said Tutt was caused thereby, they will find defendant guilty, unless they are satisfied from the evidence that he acted in self-defense.
2nd. That defendant is presumed to have intended the natural and probable consequences of his own acts.
3rd. The defendant cannot set up in justification that he acted in self-defense if he was willing to engage in a fight with deceased.
4th. To be entitled to acquital on the ground of self-defense, he must have been anxious to avoid a conflict, and must have used all reasonable means to avoid it.
5th. If the deceased and defendant engaged in a fight or conflict willingly on the part of each, and the defendant killed the deceased, he is guilty of the offense charged, although the deceased may have fired the first shot.
6th. If it appear(s) that the conflict was in any way premeditated by the defendant, he is not justifiable.
7th. The crime charged in the indictment is complete, whether there was malice or not.
8th. If the jury have any reasonable doubt as to the defendant's guilt, they will give him the benefit of such doubt, and acquit him.
9th. But such doubt must be a reasonable doubt, not a mere possibility. It must be such a doubt as leaves the mind disatisfied with a conclusion of guilt.
10th. This rule, as to a reasonable doubt, does not apply as to matters set up in justification.
11th. If the defendant claims to have acted in self-defense it is his duty to satisfy you that he so acted, and it is not sufficient to create a doubt in your minds whether he so acted or not.
12th. The jury will disregard evidence as to the moral character of deceased, and as to his character for loyalty, as the character of the deceased could afford no excuse for killing him.
13th. Every murder includes in it the crime of man-slaughter, and if the jury believe that the defendant has committed the crime of murder in the first or second degree, they will find him guilty under this indictment of man-slaughter, the crime charged in this indictment.
14th. The Court instructs the jury that they may disregard all that part of the evidence of Tutt's declaration to Lieut. Warner.
15th. The Court instructs to disregard all Warner's testimony.
16th. That the jury will disregard any threats made by Tutt against Haycock (Hickok) prior to the meeting at the Lyon House in Haycock's room.
The verdict—Not Guilty!
(Note: Dave Tutt is not known to have been related to any Valley Falls Tutts.) The 16 points are from the Kansas Historical Society Quarterly Vol. XXVI.
The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday. The 2014 historical society calendars are available at the museum.
Perhaps lesser known in Valley Falls history than William "Buffalo Bill" Cody, James "Wild Bill" Hickok has some association with the town and community.
Bill Hickok was involved in a shoot-out and killed a man named Dave Tutt at Springfield, Mo., in July 1865. Ben Heuertz, secretary-treasurer of the Valley Falls Historical Society, related the story at the December 28, 1971, meeting of the society.
Heuertz emphasized that various versions of the shoot-out were given by those who may or may not have been present. The trial of Hickok took place Aug. 5, 1865. The jury took about 10 minutes to render a verdict after the judge instructed the jurors in the following 16 points:
1st. If they believe from the evidence that the defendant intentionally shot at the deceased, Dave Tutt, and the death of said Tutt was caused thereby, they will find defendant guilty, unless they are satisfied from the evidence that he acted in self-defense.
2nd. That defendant is presumed to have intended the natural and probable consequences of his own acts.
3rd. The defendant cannot set up in justification that he acted in self-defense if he was willing to engage in a fight with deceased.
4th. To be entitled to acquital on the ground of self-defense, he must have been anxious to avoid a conflict, and must have used all reasonable means to avoid it.
5th. If the deceased and defendant engaged in a fight or conflict willingly on the part of each, and the defendant killed the deceased, he is guilty of the offense charged, although the deceased may have fired the first shot.
6th. If it appear(s) that the conflict was in any way premeditated by the defendant, he is not justifiable.
7th. The crime charged in the indictment is complete, whether there was malice or not.
8th. If the jury have any reasonable doubt as to the defendant's guilt, they will give him the benefit of such doubt, and acquit him.
9th. But such doubt must be a reasonable doubt, not a mere possibility. It must be such a doubt as leaves the mind disatisfied with a conclusion of guilt.
10th. This rule, as to a reasonable doubt, does not apply as to matters set up in justification.
11th. If the defendant claims to have acted in self-defense it is his duty to satisfy you that he so acted, and it is not sufficient to create a doubt in your minds whether he so acted or not.
12th. The jury will disregard evidence as to the moral character of deceased, and as to his character for loyalty, as the character of the deceased could afford no excuse for killing him.
13th. Every murder includes in it the crime of man-slaughter, and if the jury believe that the defendant has committed the crime of murder in the first or second degree, they will find him guilty under this indictment of man-slaughter, the crime charged in this indictment.
14th. The Court instructs the jury that they may disregard all that part of the evidence of Tutt's declaration to Lieut. Warner.
15th. The Court instructs to disregard all Warner's testimony.
16th. That the jury will disregard any threats made by Tutt against Haycock (Hickok) prior to the meeting at the Lyon House in Haycock's room.
The verdict—Not Guilty!
(Note: Dave Tutt is not known to have been related to any Valley Falls Tutts.) The 16 points are from the Kansas Historical Society Quarterly Vol. XXVI.
The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday. The 2014 historical society calendars are available at the museum.
October 22, 2013
October window displays
by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
A traditional haunted house painting draped in black cloth overlooks an autumn scene of brillant colors shared by wildflowers, dry grasses and harvested pumpkins of various sizes imbedded in fallen leaves bid farewell to their summer sojourn and signal the fall season with its unique approach to winter.
A bright orange backdrop invaded by a host of spiders imprisoned in their perfectly formed webs, a collection of jack-o'-lanterns, black cats with glowing eyes, antique noisemakers and the inevitable witch's pointed hat warning of the eve of spooks, goblins, and trick or treaters complete the October window display of the historical society museum.
Miniature United States flags line the veterans' window featuring a liberty poster, military service flag enhanced by a background of blue honoring Nov. 11, Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day.
The society museum will be open Saturday, Oct. 26, at 10 a.m.
A traditional haunted house painting draped in black cloth overlooks an autumn scene of brillant colors shared by wildflowers, dry grasses and harvested pumpkins of various sizes imbedded in fallen leaves bid farewell to their summer sojourn and signal the fall season with its unique approach to winter.
A bright orange backdrop invaded by a host of spiders imprisoned in their perfectly formed webs, a collection of jack-o'-lanterns, black cats with glowing eyes, antique noisemakers and the inevitable witch's pointed hat warning of the eve of spooks, goblins, and trick or treaters complete the October window display of the historical society museum.
Miniature United States flags line the veterans' window featuring a liberty poster, military service flag enhanced by a background of blue honoring Nov. 11, Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day.
The society museum will be open Saturday, Oct. 26, at 10 a.m.
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