Going way back again to 1891 when the Ridgeway Journal started a new department n the paper especially for women readers. Edited by Mrs. C. M. Jaqua, wife of one of the editors Jaqua Brothers. it was all “useful information for the Ladies”. The “For and About Women” section of the paper August 14, 1891 edition of the paper covered newest fashion and common sense dressing, how to make a waterproof cloak that will fit over the long skirts they work that would not be so hot in the July heat. The was also a description that new hairstyle -the Bernhardt bang- in which there is a “light part to the middle of the brow, where a light fluff falls nearly to the eye on each side and forms a softly curled wave of hair.” There were also tips on keeping cool which included taking a tepid bath followed by a cold shower; eat a light breakfast as “greasy food or a great quantity of food will most certainly heat your stomach for the rest of the day”.
Another section gave housekeeping tips, some of which might raise a few questions today: use a tin box for stove blacking accessories; spending a half dime for a vegetable brush is good investment; clean ink spots by covering with starch moistened with benzene; and use whiting wet with kerosene to clean zinc.
The column ended with a recipe for apple tapioca: Soak half a cup of tapioca overnight in three cups of water. Cook the tapioca in the same water for an hour, then stir in half teaspoon of salt, half a cup of sugar, tablespoon of lemon juice and a full quart of pared, cored, and sliced tart apples. Best served a few hours after cooking. If I try this recipe, I will let you know how it turns out.
