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.
