In the early 1890s, Ridgeway officials would put notices in the Ridgeway Journal to remind residents that this town had ordinances and those ordinances were meant to be followed. For example, in 1891, J.H. Goodwin, “Ch Town Con” (chief town constable, maybe?) printed this reminder: “Did you know it was contrary to the ordinances of the village of Ridgeway to run horses in the corporation? It is all the same, so please do not do it anymore.” (Ridgeway Journal, July 10, 1891).
On January 12, 1893, officials printed a reminder in the Journal to remind business owners and residents that anyone who “neglects to clear the sidewalks of snow as aforesaid, for the space of twenty-four hours from the cessation of of the following of any snow” could be convicted and fined $10.
On November 16, 1893, another notice was printed that there was an ordinance prohibiting boys from wandering the streets at night and “we understand the town dads are looking after the matter”. The boys were mostly still in school and the writer felt that being on the streets at night meant that the boys were neglecting their school work. The item ended with a warning: “If parents can’t keep their children home at night, the town officials can.”
