A Bicycle Ride, 1893

  From the Oskaloosa Times, Apr. 20, 1893

Several Oskaloosa boys concluded to have a little outing last Sunday with bycicles (sic), among the number were Alt Buck, Ray Patterson and Curt Patrick, boarding the train on the Northwestern for the Falls, where after riding around for a while on the bycicles, made a stop at the Hillyer House, where they enjoyed the hospitality of that prince of landlords, R.D. Simpson. After partaking of one of his sumptuous dinners, they were taken in charge of Messrs. Piazzek and Tutt, owners of the little steamboat that plys the Delaware above the dam, who extended an invitation for a ride, which the Oskaloosa boys graciously accepted, going up the river about five miles and back. The Cyclone Cadet Band of Valley Falls furnished enlivening music on the trip. Getting back to the hotel about half past 4 o’clock, they immediately started for home feeling grateful for the gentlemanly and courteous treatment received at all hands. About an hour’s ride from the falls, the three arrived at Dunavant where they took supper with Geo. Elston. The boys got safely home at 7:30 being delayed a short time on the road.

 

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in October 2002.

As One Saw “Oscaloosa” in 1858

Originally printed in The Kansas National Democrat, Lecompton, Kansas Territory, August 1858

Reprinted in The Oskaloosa Independent, January 23, 1941

Oskaloosa, Jefferson County, K.T., July 20, 1858

FRIEND BRIGGS — For the benefit of the traveling public, I wish to give through your paper, a short description of the shortest and best way route between Lecompton and Atchison. In the first place, it may be well to know, that there are two old routes; one running upon the West side of Grasshopper Creek, and crossing at the old Indian Mill ford, from thence across the Delaware Reserve, keeping the old Parkville trace, to the junction of it, with the Lawrence and Doniphan road near the town of Oscaloosa. The objections to this route, besides being circuitous, are the impossibility of fording the Grasshopper, a great part of the year, and about six miles of wet bottom (this year). The other route lies across the ferry, (with quite reasonable fare,) at the mouth of the Grasshopper, and keep the Leavenworth road several miles in the Kaw Bottom, crossing Ten Mile, or Stone House Creek and taking the left fork of the “Round Mound” upon the Lawrence and Doniphan road, following it to Oscaloosa. The latter has all the objections of the former, except fording the Grasshopper.

Now, “the route,” is at last surveyed, staked and marked, leaving the Leavenworth road at a point a quarter of a mile east of the ferry, running past the school house in the timber; and the very shortest possible cut across the prairie to a point of bluff which breaks down by successive steps to the bottom prairie. It was at this place the rocks were quarried for building the saw mills near the ferry, the grade up the bluff, though capable of improvement, is naturally very easy, and from this standpoint the Capital of Kansas is better seen at one view than from any other place, and the road continues on, through a pleasant grove keeping a “divide,” in nearly an air line to the junction of the old route, with the Lawrence and Doniphan roads before mentioned. It will be seen then, that this route lies between the others, with three miles less bottom, much less hill, and from three to four miles less distance, being much pleasanter to travel. From Oscaloosa, it keeps the old road, via Hickory Point.

One word about Oscaloosa. In my travels of the Territory, I have found people generally ignorant of the situation of this place, and as it is a real live two horse town it may be well for your readers to be posted. It is situated on the township line, between townships nine and ten, range nineteen, one half mile west of the dried up town of Jacksonville, as on the map, and embraces about 200 acres of as pretty rolling prairie, with excellent springs of water, as can be found in any country. It is not boasting to say it excels any and every town in Kansas, off the Kansas and Missouri rivers, and being strictly temperate, has outstripped all places of its age. It is at a point where many important roads intersect; well provided with water and timber and most excellent farming country, which is fast improving. There are two good saw mills in constant operations, with burs and bolts attached, for grinding all kinds of grain. — There are about 80 dwelling houses, and more going up, with a population of over 400. The citizens have just subscribed about $800 towards building a school house; the ground floor will be 30 by 40 feet, with posts 21 feet high. The quarter block, donated by Jesse Newell, that whole souled man, Uncle Jesse, is the finest location in town. The different religious denominations hold their regular stated meetings at this place.

This shows that towns can be built up without agents to puff and blow, and lie, by hawking shares all over the territory. I will challenge any one to show a town that has done more in twelve months, under like circumstances. There will be strong competition for the county seat, next October, and as Oscaloosa is three miles nearer the center of the county than any other place, I think its chances favorable. — It is 22 miles southwest of Leavenworth City on a direct line to Ft. Riley, by the new bridge built at Russell’s Mill across the Stranger, and another across the Grasshopper at Ozawkie.

Any one passing this way, will find an agreeable stopping place at the Kansas Hotel. This house has been refitted and furnished, it has also a good barn well supplied with hay and grain, and I will guarantee that man or beast will be well cared for, and kindly treated, the charges are moderate.

I had intended to speak of other points on the route first mentioned, but am admonished by the length of this letter to stop for the present, hoping you may make it convenient to call up this way soon.

            With great respect, I remain, Yours Truly, Jefferson

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in April 2009.

Steamboat Excursion on the Delaware, 1896

From the Valley Falls New Era, June 6, 1896

The steamer Delaware is proving a bonanza to young people who want to go picnicing and have a pleasant ride up the majestic Delaware. Captain Lungstrum knows how to take care of a merry party of young people, and steamboat excursions are getting to be the thing. Beautiful grounds have been laid out up the river, nice shade trees, places for swings and hammocks and croquet grounds, and it will pay you to take a day’s outing and enjoy a trip on the steamer.

Last Friday a merry party of young people from Winchester and vicinity enjoyed themselves up the river, and were well pleased with their trip on the steamer. The party was a jolly one and consisted of Ella Logan, Dr. Maggie McCrea, Cloud McCrea, Ethel French, Will French, Eva Houston, John McCrea, Irene Adams, Aggie Curry, Mary Weir, May Steuart, Anna Dill, Myrtle French, Weir Steuart, Ira Stewart, Lorena Houston, Mr. and Mrs. O.H. Curry, Laura Weir, Will Weir, Alice Thrusby, Cloud French, Lizzie Dill, Annie Cole, Renwick Steuart, Beckie Logan, James Logan, Anna McKemey, Maggie McKemey, Will McCrea, Lulu Dill, Lizzie Mitchell, Will Mitchell, Bruce French, John French, John Dill, Harvy Curry, Will Cathcart. 

Saturday Night

Saturday night the steamer had a happy crowd of our young people for passengers to the picnic grounds. Captain Lungstrum proved himself equal to the occasion, and made the trip a delightful one to the following young people of this city: The Misses Frances and Maud Johnson, Allie Gardiner, Metta and Grace Legler, Gertie Goodrich, Jessie Townsend, Maggie Tischhauser, Lestia Aitken, Louisa Schuhmacher, Fannie Marsh, Minnie Clark, Erma Spencer, Adda Falls, Henrietta Hughan, Nellie Murray, Flora Lewis, Maud Diehl, Adah Myers, Pearl Hubbard, Hortense Harman. 

from the Meriden Tribune, May 6, 1893

The Messrs. A.B. Schaeffer, L.E. Dort, Wallace Aitken, Harry Goodrich, Charles Kemper, Walter Kauffman, Guy Dort, Louis Schuhmacher, John Murray, Sam Dornblaser, Camil Flacey, Ed. Burkert, Roscoe Booth, Curtis Gephart, Leigh Myers, Everett Mitchell, Albert Myers, Russell Hubbard and Hale Bliss.

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in April 1988.

Peace on the Grasshopper River

By Golden Becker

Written by Mr. Golden Becker at the time that Perry Dam was built: he remembered the Delaware River Valley as it used to be. We think this essay will be of interest to our new residents, who want to see the “before the lake” picture, and understand the attitude of the old timers. (The editor, Yesteryears, October 1989.)

In my boyhood days some seventy years ago, the Grasshopper valley was a peaceful valley. Wild life was permitted to roam the hills and valley, only enough was taken by man for his needs. I fished and hunted the valley from hillside to hillside and when water was to a trickle in the river. We thought of it as our river and it was a member of the family from Grandpa down to his grandchildren, and life was reasonably comfortable.

Designed and published by the Kansas
Department of Transportation. —
Kansas 2005–2006 Official Transportation Map.

There was the town of Thompsonville where Perry Dam is now built. It was named after a Mr. Thompson who had a grist mill with water power from a dam on the Grasshopper river. Flour and cornmeal were ground there. Up the river about three miles was Wolftown, a grocery store and blacksmith shop owned and run by Lawn Wolf. Next up the river four miles was Jacksonville, started by a Mr. Jackson who also had a grocery store and blacksmith shop. This was just three miles from where I was born. At Jacksonville there was a bridge across the Grasshopper which was dismantled when the river was straightened in 1908 and moved to the new channel. This bridge has now been taken out and moved for the Perry Lake. 

Next up the river was the town of Ozawkie. It was the county seat of Jefferson County.* A thriving town with a number of businesses, grocery store, pool hall, hardware store, feed store and grist mill also run by the water power with the limestone burrs for the grinding of flour and cornmeal. Water power was from a dam across the Grasshopper. The town of Ozawkie has been completely razed. A new town of Ozawkie has been built on the high hills west of the old town. Next was Grasshopper Falls named after Rock Falls in the river and now called Valley Falls. This town now remains a thriving small town and will be about the upper end of Perry Lake. The Grasshopper River was later named the Delaware River. This river is now destroyed from Valley Falls to Thompsonville for the Perry Lake. This is where I spent my early life — fishing, hunting and trapping. I trapped muskrat, mink, coon, opossum, coyote and skunk.

I can remember small trees that were permitted to grow to large ones three and four feet through and large ones that we pitched our tents under. The trees that we played squirrel in, the muddy banks that we went barefooted on, leaves we gathered to make a bed, and willow poles that we fished with a line tied on. We caught lots of fish — carp, buffalo, catfish, turtles and eels. We ate them all, did not waste a thing —if we caught it we ate it. Wild deer roamed the valley, wild ducks were by the millions and many prairie chickens. Wild life abounded everywhere.

Soon the valley will be under water and my playground will be gone. The very trees that I played squirrel in and slept under are all gone. To me it is a desolate sight and I cannot call it progress. Engineers are building sightseeing roads and destroying nature — all that God has erected. It is a barren land now to be covered with water. They say for flood control. I have seen this valley covered with water from bluff to bluff many times and have rowed a boat from hillside to hillside. I saw it in 1903, 1908, 1915, 1935, and 1951. This new water will not be new to me. I believe that someday the valley will be flooded again, not where all this destruction is taking place but down stream and the whole valley laid to destruction. History says it happened in 1844 and it could happen again. Earthen dams have been known to break.

Upwards of fifty million dollars of our tax money is being spent. Farmers’ boyhood homes have been unhappily destroyed and they have been forced to move elsewhere, and in some cases death has occurred as a result of the power and the forcefulness of our federal government.

Lakes do fill up and someday become mud puddles. In Japan a lake of about 1200 acres that became a mud hole is now being made into farm land. The levee was leveled, and the land is being divided up in small tracts. Farmers have moved on the land to raise food for the much needed explosive population, which we are now having in our United States too. Flood control, as it is called, is for the farms and cities down stream, and not the ones upstream.

I knew the people from Thompsonville to Ozawkie, the old grist mill at Ozawkie where flour and corn meal was made, fished there many times — also at Thompsonville. Farmers who lived in that valley were Grimes, Thompsons, Markers, Meyers, Gibiers, Saylors, Starks, Wolfs, Selfs, Bakers, Metzgers, Richters, Breys, Fowlers and the Henry Plows. They all owned farms in the valley. Many years, year after year, we threshed wheat and oats for them and ate a thresherman’s dinner at their tables and fished on their farms. I have rowed a boat over their farms when the river was out of its banks, gigged and caught lots of fish and gave these people the fish we caught. I have helped them in their harvest, helped to haul their flooded wheat to high ground and we received no pay for this act of mercy.

The Beckers and these people were all workers. They worked from sunup to sundown. Many times we went to the Grasshopper with wagon loaded with tent, hay and corn for the horses, and a wooden box with minnows seined from Duck Branch. We pitched our tent and usually stayed two nights. These farmers came to our camp, some drank beer and played cards and were welcome to a mess of fish. We caught lots of fish and either ate them or gave them away. Everyone was welcome at our camp.

The Grasshopper/Delaware Valley lies beneath the lake.
Aerial view of the dam at Perry Lake, Kansas.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

In our present world there is respect for thy neighbor as long as he stays off the other fellow’s property, but let him get on your property and immediately you are disturbed. This is true on a national basis, country by country, nation by nation, and it is happening all over the world. It was not so seventy years ago.

In these days of division and dissent there is a challenge to all responsible citizens. For beneath the issues that drive us apart lie the ideals, the enduring values created by God that can bring us together.

* Ozawkie was the first county seat in Kansas Territorial days. After several elections, the vote placed the county seat at Oskaloosa. The records were removed by force from “Osawkee.” That formed a story line for a ’50s movie, “The Second Greatest Sex,” starring Jeanne Crain. ("The Second Greatest Sex" is also available on YouTube.) Parts of it were filmed in the old town of Ozawkie.

This article appeared in "Yesteryears" in October 1989. Construction of Perry Dam began in August 1964. The lake was filled by 1969 and dedicated in 1970.