[4] The community has the name of Joseph Farley, the original owner of the land where the village now is located.

[5] In Farley on August 20, 1900, Sheriff John H. Dillingham responded to a double homicide with two deputies.

On Main Street, Sheriff John Dillingham encountered the murderer, Dr. Sterling Price Harrington who was the town's doctor.

Dr. Harrington, who had murdered his mother-in-law and uncle-in-law the day before, was at Farley General store attempting to purchase more ammunition.

The general store owner pulled out a pistol and shots were exchanged between them.

Gunshots were exchanged and Dr. Harrington shot the Sheriff in the head, killing him instantly.

The sheriff’s twenty-three-year-old son Henry, a deputy, returned fire fatally wounding Dr. Harrington.

The doctor was looking for his wife who had sought safety in Platte City, Mo.

The General Store where this incident took place was razed many years ago but there is a plaque erected marking this incident at the old store's location on Main Street near the current post office.

[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.23 square miles (3.19 km2), all land.