Bit of History - November 20, 2024

A conversation at the most recent Ridgeway Community Betterment meeting prompted me to do some reading about the Farmers’ Picnic.  This event was started in 1920 and originally sponsored by M. F. A. It was held in Bert Neff’s grove, about 10 miles east of Bethany and was a three-day event in early to mid-August that included music, speakers, a baby show each day and livestock show for sheep, hogs, cattle and poultry entered by the vocational agricultural students and of course, picnicking.  

The picnic grew each year from one day in 1922 to 3 days in 1928.  In 1927, attendance of the picnic was estimated to be around 7500 for both days. That year, the program featured “eight speakers, band and two orchestras, readers, singers, ball games and contests”.  (Bethany Republican, Aug 17, 1927).  Ridgeway performers included the Show Me orchestra and poet Bud Curtis “who read several of his original poems, and his audience was emotionally impressed by his rendition of his fine poem, ‘Awkward Jim’, a war narrative.” Don Killough of Ridgeway performed a special dancing act on the last night of the picnic.  

In 1928, M. F. A. members in northern Harrison County organized a second farmers’ picnic in Blythedale, to be held the week before the one at the Neff grove.  An item in the Bethany Republican assured people that “the annual M. F. A. picnic in the Neff grove, east of Bethany, will remain unchanged” and that local M. F. A. leaders said that the news about the Blythedale picnic “came as a surprise to them.”  In 1929, there were changes to the picnic when it was renamed the “Harrison County Picnic Association” though unofficially it would always be known as the “farmers’ picnic”.

The picnic was an annual tradition until about 1942 which it was cancelled for the duration of World War II.  The money that would have been paid as premiums for the livestock show was instead used to purchase war bonds and stamps.  Though the board continued to meet until 1947, the farmers’ picnic was never held again and in 1957, the Harrison County Picnic Association was officially dissolved.

Thank you to Nellie for her suggestion and sharing her memories of going to the farmers’ picnic.  

Got a favorite memory of Christmas in Ridgeway?  I am looking for personal stories and/or pictures of Ridgeway Christmas happenings.  If you would like to share, send an email or call me or stop by Paula’s Sewing Corner!

Bit of History - November 13, 2024

From the pages of the Ridgeway Journal dated November 20, 1924:

The Methodist-Episcopal Church held their annual Father and Son Banquet.  About 75 fathers and sons attended the banquet and program of music and speeches.  The Henry family was represented by four generations of their family:  W. H. “Uncle Will” Henry, Sheridan Henry, Clarence Henry and Lloyd Henry.  The food was prepared and served by the ladies and the men promised to return the favor during Mothers and Daughters Week.  

The New Ridgeway Hotel changed management when it was leased by W. V. Hopper from C. H. Washburn.  Mr. Hopper was from Albany where he managed the New Albany Hotel.  

The Ridgeway Journal also changed ownership, having been purchased by Frank and Bettie Robertson who had previously leased the Record of Weir Kansas.  “The Journal was already a good paper, but Frank and Bettie began immediately to make improvements.  If they continue the way they have started they will soon be classed among the best in the state.”  Despite this glowing recommendation, there were still some mistakes in their first issue:  The article about the new Journal owners was placed between the last two paragraphs of the obituary for Cordelia Barnes.

The Harrison County Poultry Association was preparing for their Annual Winter Show in conjunction with Ridgeway Annual Corn Show and Farmer’s Festival, planned for early December.  The Rex Theatre had several entertainments planned such as a vaudeville show and two plays.  There was an “old-time square dance” for Ridgeway area residents at the New Ridgeway Hotel and the Methodist Ladies Aid member were planning Thanksgiving dinner.

Bit of History - November 6, 2024

From the pages of the Ridgeway Journal dated November 9, 1916:  The Journal reported that “indications are as we go to press Wednesday afternoon that Woodrow Wilson has been reelected President by a close margin.” The paper also mentioned that “The race for governor in the state is close between Gardner and Lamm, the returns favoring the latter.”  Frederick Gardiner, a Democrat from St. Louis won over Republican Henry Lamm in the closest gubernatorial race in Missouri history.  Lamm won the Harrison County vote.

The Methodist Church was pleased to report that 142 attended Sunday School with a collection total of $5.00. J.H. Thompson wrote the column for the church: “The election is now over and the president and governor and all other needed officers elected, so let us get down to hard work again for the kingdom of God.” 

The Rex Theatre was showing “Rupert of Hentzau”, a photoplay based on the sequel to “The Prisoner of Zenda” and was a story about an Englishman who “had been elevated to rule as the King of Ruritania at the time with the rightful king was being held prisoner”.  He looked so much like the king that even the queen didn’t know the difference until after the coronation. 

 

The community was saddened by the loss of Pansy Alice Henry, a young woman who passed away after a long illness.  D.L. McCollum advertised his home in the Sunnyside addition for sale.  Twenty-three local property owners posted that “we, the undersigned, will positively not allow anyone, with guns or dog, to trespass on any land owned or leased by use and anyone caught in the act will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”  There had been a few accidents in the community caused by careless hunters or loafer “and we are positively going to stop it.  This is not a slight hint, but we actually mean business.”

Bit of History - October 30, 2024

From the pages of the Ridgeway Journal, November 10, 1905:  The Ridgeway School published the attendance report for the second month of school.  Mark Burrows, the superintendent, was especially pleased to report that there were zero tardies and 19 visitors to the school during that month.  “Quarterly examination cards” were also sent home to parents at this time with a reminder that “A few do not seem to realize that children who spend much time on the streets at night, or attend mid-week gatherings, can not do the same high grade work as their more carefully looked after classmates.  “Our school is our business” is the motto of our more successful students.”  

Mr. Burrows also announced that the Weather Bureau would be sending a daily telegram with the weather forecasts.  The school would then display a weather flag on the flag stag to let community members know the forecast. The school had cards explaining the flags available to the community. 

I found two great ads in this issue.  The first was from R. M. Prater, auctioneer in Ridgeway.  He listed the requirements for a successful sale:  1:  have a good clerk, be sober and clear-headed; 2.  Have no by-bidding or skin game, for if you do, you will be the one skinned. 2.  Have plenty of help that is not afraid to hustle; 4 Have plenty of bills, not less than 200.  Don’t employ R. M. Prater unless you want him, for if you do, he will be there rain or shine.

The second was from Mrs. Myrtle Allbee, milliner, who was closing out her entire stock of Ostrich plumes and tips at her cost.  She also had a sale on “toilet preparations” at half price and ladies could supply themselves with “perfumes, creams, powders, etc.”  I wonder if ostrich feathers were going out of style on hats.