davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-09
Conducts His Farm
as Scientific Problem,

=, Twelve years ago it was believed
that farming was simple matter.
Times have changed. No longer is il
only matter of Drawn; it is a matter
OF brains and brawn. Much of it is
experimental. There is need for great
deal OF research and reading, which we
might dignity with the name of study.
lhc problems are scientitic-the treat
mcht OF trees, the treatment Of the soil,
are matters that point directly to the
realm of science"
Much of Mr.. Ridgely's reading is
done in company with his wife, al
though he understands the various sys-
tens OF reading for the blind The walls
Of other rooms besides the library in
his Dover home are lined with large
tones In Braile.
II studied Braillc and the New York
pointer system just as Henry did," said
Henry X. johnson in his home Just
across The Green, "but couldn't make
much of it., He did. He knows all
the systems"
A hasty glance at Mr.. Rldgely's :
"Endymion," the Odes OF Horace, the
Apocrypha, the Bible. Most of these
books are obtained from English pub
fishers, and the four mentioned only
suggest the typ" and variety Of the
volumes Mr.. Ridgely uses.
The larger part of his reading is done
by his wife. They read novels together.
as well as books on economics, political
problems, psychology and law.
Recently" said Mr.. Ridgcly. Il
have read William James lectures on
Pragmatism,' the Socratic dialogues.
Saintsbury's book on literary criticism, =
and he named long list of classics as
we'll as recent issues. And | like
a good detective story
''He read book the other day.
biography" said Mrs. RdgeIy. 1T
was as thrilling as n movie scenario"
The enthusiasm in her voice disclosed
the enjoyment Mrs. Ridgcly gets out
Of this cooperative perusal of their
splendid library.
"A book has Il very strong influence
on me-" said Mr., Ridgely. "Thc book
| like like very much.
There was an intimation in what he
said Of what the neighbors in Dover
say about him: that he never forgcts
anything.
HE has an extraordinary memory"
said Chief Justice James Penniwell.
I'm the courtroom he il denied the
usual jottings made by. attorneys. But
he holds the case clearly before him as
though he were yeading It out of
digest. There Is nfAquestion that he 10
the foremost lawyd, In the State,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-09

And his grave face lighted up for.
brief instant. His full name is Rob
Roy MacGregor."
"And we call him Mac OF MacGre-
gor for short" laughed Mrs. Ridgely.
Mr.. Ridgely walked into the adjoin-
ing room for moment. This was the
dining room, bright with cretonne and
sunshine.
During his absence Mrs. Rldsely
said:
But you mustn't get the idea that
I have to help Mr.. Ridgely. He gets
around by himself. He needs no help.
able TO take care of himself II he ever
gets 10 the Senate
Mrs. Ridgely IS small wcman and
a companionablr one. She is almost as
widely known throughout the State OF
Delaware as is her husband. For the
pcriOd of the war she was State chair
man of the Third. Fourth and Fifth
Liberty Loan drives. She was one Of
the officers In the Federal Reserve,
head Of the Suffrage campaign in her
State and leader of the Federation of
Womcn's Clubs.
She is not native of Dover. She
was born In Baltimore, her maiden
name. Mabel Lloyd Fisher. Before her
marriage Sne sluuIed architecture III
New York City.
Have I ever practiccd:' And after
moments rumination she decided
that an architect ''practiCes' aS we'll
ms a physician. NO. I got married.
But did build home once. The first
house built, and the only house. was
dog house"
Whether this maiden effort was for
Mac or no., IS a matter that was not
illuminated by further disclosures.
But in the restoration of the Ridgcly
house and the furnishing of its rooms
can be detected the touch of n hand
Of taste. Mrs. Ridgoly's 'aste is GER
tainly evident In the home nt Rehohoth
by the sea, the exterior Of which
scarcely gives promise of the beauties
and the comforts within. "a; aside il
is only a duplicate of hundreds of frame
houses one sees near the sea, painted
green, and rather weather beaten
within it seems TO have gathered all
the sunshine of many a day.
The cretOnned windows. which draw
the light generously into the rooms, th,
cunningly built wall seats and III,
writing table extending out of ono cor.
ner Of the living room, Indicate the
direction of n woman not only of taste.
but of imagination.
Henry, and l, too, having lost one
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-09
Sightless Eyes, Set Deep
in a Strong, Fighting Face

Mr.. Ridgelys manner is direct,
incisive. Only fleeting do the curves
Of smile soften the strong lines of
his face. For the most part, his face
is that of a fighter-not one of
Drawn so much as one Of deep,
clean, vigorous thought.
81 am what I call double. breasted
Dclawarean. he said
Since 1745, his family has lived III
Dover. And it has been family of
distinction. DR.. Charles Rdgely was
member Of the Colonial Assembly
and of the Convention which framed
grandfather, Henry NJ. Ridgely, was
elected to the United States Senate BY
the Wings. Nicholas Rldgey was
the father of chancellery in this
country. Mr.. Ridgely's own father,
blind during the latter portion of his
life, was Secretary of State of Del
aware. and also praCticing lawyer
of note.
My age is fifty three, and the month
Of my birth was January" Henry
Ridgely said.
He took high school course in
Dover, and then entered the law Office
of his father, Edward Ridgely. Later
n period at the Wesley Collegiate In
stitute and special course at the Uni
versity of Pennsylvania concluded his
legal training, and he was admitted to
the bar when he was twenty -one years
old.
During all this period he had full
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-09

advantage of his cycsight, and for a
considerable time during his early
career as lawyer. In 1898 he was
married. About twenty years ngo an
inherited impcrfection in his vision be-
came manifest, and morr and more
disturbing, until ten or fifteen years
ago he had lost virtually all use of his
eyes.
"If. you want to know my business,
| suppose you might say ! am especially
Interested in banking, agriculture ana
law. A general practitioner in law,
with penchant for equity practices
he observed.
And IL you want to know his re-
Interrupted his wife, they
are rowing, swimming and dancing.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-09
WIZ Not Exploit
infrnity in Career

Senator Gore has always strisen 70
prevent the exploitation of his intirmity
as business and political capital. In
that he is very like Mr.. Ridgely. SEN
ator Gore has always insisted that the
chief difficulty in the life of a blind
man Is the attitude OF compassion some
persons direct toward blindness, and
not th" blindness itself.
r The Senator's success, too. was In
large measure due to the ass istance his
VII" has given him. He married in
1000, and his wife has been his con-
Elant guide and companion ever since.
His wife was Miss Nina Kay, ap-
pointed 10 be his guide for dav during
a poiitical rally in "A small Texan town
AND she has continued to be his guide,
working steadily .as his amanuensis.
reader and adviser.
At R"hoborh Mr.. Ridgely is looked
upon with awe and vcneration. The
nelghborS of this silent man seem 10
know little about him They are i'm.
pressed. however by the sight of him
breasting the breakers.
Don know much about him"
sald a native who was asked TO point
out the Ridgoly home By the sea,
But he sure does like the water.
W hen his visitors were leaving him
Mr.. Ridgely said:
- II YOU are going to stop over at
Dover, don't forget to see George
Fisher---hc's my assistant-and have
ktn take you out to that farm Of mine.
lou II enjoy it. 1t isn't lttlc farm,
ana the peaches are fine. just ask him
to g"t You a baSke Of peaches and take
them along with you,
Yes, do urged Mrs. Ridgely.
And the last vicy of this rcmarkohle
pair revealed them as they stood at the
rear porch, c,o,c together. affertionate--
Mrs Ridg"y. small. almost girlish in
figure, smile of farewell lighting w
hey face; Mr. Ridgcly, dark. rather
grim, waving slender right hand.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-09

and the giving Of opinions. And, OF
course. my Office work includes the du-
ties in regard to the bank. I leave the
Office at 5. and then perhaps so to
my farm. In the evenings I read
Mr.. Ridgcly's home is the old Ridgely
house. on the northeast corner of the
Green. in Dover. Adjoining the home
and communicating with 1t Is his office.
His is the oldest house in the COM
munity and the only one which has
preserved its original form. 1t was
built in 1928, and has been occupied by
Ridgelys since about 1850.
It Is a charming example of Colonial
architecture. 1t Is of brick, with char
actcristic white trimmings. The beau
tiful texture of the walls is enhanced
by clinging green ivy. The interior is
rich-thc library one of the most at
tractivc, and undoubtedly the most
complete south Of Wilmington.
Leading almost directly from the H.
brary Is the hallway, and the door to
Mr.. Ridgely's Office, where, with the
assistance Of George NJ. Fisher. an at
torney, and stenographer, he con-
ducts his large practice. In one corner
stands the typewriter he himself uses
for his personal letters. In another
corner of the back room of the quaint
little -ceilingcd Office are two large
filing cases. Each is about four feet
high. with a width and a depth of n
foot and half and three feet, respec-
lively.
In one of these cabinets are packed
and they are packed so tight 1t Is a
difficult matter to insert ones finger
between the sheets of record paper-the
cases at law concluded during Mr..
Ridge y's career to date and, in til,
majority of instances. won. In the
other are packed equally tightly the
cases pending or to be worked upon.
Each cabinet is full from top to bot
tom. They. perhaps more than any
thing else that might be said, measure
Mr.. RidgeIy's Industry and his sue.
cess.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-09
LoUes Poetry and Enjoys
Free Verse-in a Measure

But not all the books Mr.. Ridgeiy
and his wife read are books that nc
needs to remember. For instance he
enjoys poetry.
f'Perhaps I shouldn't confess that
sometimes folk object to man en-
ioying verse" He smiled one Of his
infreGuent smiles. But / do enjoy
verse
"And he enjoys free verse. too--Amy
Lowell. She's written some beautiful
things, don't you think!' added Mrs.
Ridgely. But he Is not complete con-
vert to free verse;
Mr.. Ridgely buys all the latest books
on international and national affairs,
also publications. such as the Man
chester Guardian. 1t is his desire to
keep abreast Of the times. and he ap-
parently succeeds, with the help of Mrs.
Ridgely.
Concerning his probable selection as
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-09
Disinterested in Money;
Turns Mind to Problems

''He Is not out after the money; he Is
interested in the legal problem. which
to the best Of his ability he tries to
disentangle for the good Of the neigh.
borhood,' the inhabitants of Dover will
tell you.
And they will add that therein he is
much like his blind father before him.
who would never try case unless he
was first convinced of the innocence Of
his client. And If his client was not in
nocent he refused to take the case.
The collie dog, which had been romp-
ing half hour before on the beach with
the two bathers. walked quietly out on
the porch and then snuggled up against
the chair in which Mr.. Ridgely sat.
"The dogs nnme?" Mr.. kldgely re.
peated. "Oh, that's a kind of joke.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-09

will not simply remain cogs in the great
machine Of an organization, but will
attack problems disinterestedly, and
with only one desire, and that to solve
them for the good of the greatest num-
ber."
1t is said In Dover that Mr.. Ridgely
carries something Of the same attitude
TO his legal puzzles,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-09
LOUes a Good NOUel
but OnIy on Vacation

During my vacation here | spend
most of my time bathing and reading, y
he explained. II am fond of good
novel during vacation; but, altogether,
| prefer something say
heavier"
"He likes better a. book that he can
get his teeth in" contributed Mrs.
Ridgcly.
when / am home.---in Doyer-I am
much t!sier," he resumed, -! start
work, fortunately, as soon as wake
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-09

lems,' said Mr.. Ridgely. "and that Is
why l like farming. There are 10
many problems to solve in farming. My
farm yields n large crop of fruit. +
nave on my hands now 20, 600 bushels of
early peaches; and soon thcrc'l be
early apples and grapes. The most in.
sistent problem is proper distribution.
And the, farm demands most of my
evenings. '
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-09

Yes, in Jones Creek, right by the
farm, there are all sorts of op-
portunities for rowing. call it creek,
though there is still difference Of
opinion. You know she smiled, "the
Almighty made it n creek, but the
made it n river"
Mr.. Ridsely is an extremely busy
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-09
1.-THE WORLD NEEDS MEN
OF VISION-U -UNSELFISH
SPOKESNIEN, "HE DECL ARE,S
Uufagging Loyalty Of Helpmate Sup
bvts Him TN HIS Interest In Farmlug.
Literature, Athletics and Solution of
Pressing Problems of the Day

AroT all worlds fighting in uniform. 80
And campaigns this earth where
ho baring trumpet sound, cannon thunder
There who battles as long as life
AGAINST odds physical handcap ignore these
Odds who superhuman constant hep and
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-09

''And he is eloquent. He lines up his
points one by one with amazing force
and insurmountable conviction. He Is
legal opponent that any man can
tremble TO meet without belying cour-
age"
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-09

up. That's not n good habit. And
don't recommend It. But 1t happens
that good deal of work In law is
thinking-.the mind happens to be the
only implement of chief Importance in
the business.
II am In my Office at o'clock. My
main work is the preparation of caSes
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-09

and then to view the company with
grave and acute interest.
Mr.. R!dgely is a tall, dark,
thoughtful man. In immaculate fan.
mel trousers, dark blue coat and
white shoes when he had dressed
after the bath, he sat easily in a
great wicker chair. Beside him, on
a wall bench, was Mrs. Ridgely,
fresh-looking and youthful in her
light, cool summer dress.
The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1922-01-04
To Invite Mr. Rhett

AT the regular meeting of the Lau-
rens Business League, held last night,
1T was decided to invite Hon r. Good
win Rhett, OF Charleston, to attend the
next meeting OF the league and 20 ad-
dress it on the subject of the proposed
100000 road program now being
advocated for this state. Discussion
Of the subject took up all tho business
hour OF the meeting last night and the
decision was made to invite Mr.. Rhett
In order to secure fuller information
on the subject. The meeting and ban
quet was a very pleasant affair, tho
guests OF the evening being members
OF the lover house of the general as
sembly, Mcssrs. Carol ID. Nance, G.
M. Babb and Townes A. willis. Sena-
tor o. p. Goodwin was invited, but did
not attend. The delegation was invit-
ed to attend the next meeting, which
was advanced two weeks in order that
the discussion OF tho road quesrloll
may be held before the bill Is disposed
of in tho legislature.
The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1922-01-04
Attention! Ex-Seryicc Men

The American Red Cross Chapter at
iLaurcns has home service worker at
the Court House on Wednesday, Thurs
day and Friday of each week. This
worker will be employed by the fed
Cross few months only, therefore IL
there are any eX-service men in the
county who need assistance of any
kind, this home service worker will be
glad to give any assistance possible.
For time this work was done by
Magistrate Wright and others, but
now Miss Margaret Dunlap ia in
charge Of the work and has an office
and special days in which to work.
7. G. Switzer, Chairman.
The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1922-01-04
Mrs. Nancy Putnam

= Mrs Nancy Putnam, widow of Pey
don Putnam, Of Laurens, died Friday
december 23rd, at the home OF her
son, a. IT, Putnam, in Enoree She Is
survived by two sons and one sister.
her sons are j. G. Putnam, OF Green
Yille, and a. l.. Putnam, of Enorec,
and her sister, Mrs W. 3. parson, Of
Fountain Inn. Jntermcnt was made
at Chestnut Ridge near Laurens, Sun
day. Dec. 25th, conducted by C. B..
Bobo. Mrs Putnam was in her eighty
fifth year, and was consistant mem
Der of Highland Home Baptist church.
The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1922-01-04
Collins Buys Wilson Stock

The stock OF dry goods and notions,
belonging to the estate of the late w.
e. Wilson, was resold at public out
cry last Wednesday morning, the sue
cessful bidder being J. D. Collins, of
Spartanburg. Mr.. Collins has added
moro stock to that which he bought
and opened again for business Mon
day. MI, wv. A. Collins and Mr.. w. B.
Moore are in active charge Of the bus
mess here, Mr. J. D. Collins remain
ing with his large department store
In Spartanburg.
The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1922-01-04
REV. HOLLER SHELTERS WAIF
Former Pastor Here Takes in Small
Boy Who Asks for Shelter and

F0rmef Pastor Here Takes In Small
Boy Who Asks for Shelter and
Food.
Anderson, Jan. "A bright young
ster, about 12 years Of age, came to
the home OF Rev. and Mrs. A. E. Hol-
Ter and asked for shelter Christmas
night. or course he WAS given place
at the table and a room, and told to
make himself "at home" Which 1t
seems he is proceeding to do. He says
his name is James McAlister, and that
he came from Atlanta on truck, and
in some way got lost from the truck.
Not knowing what to do as he was
without funds he heard OF Mr.. and
Mrs. Holler and decided 70 ask them
TO take him in. Tho boy saysshe Is an
orphan, and gives no home address.
Mr.. and Mrs. Holler have made an at
tempt to find his relatives without sue
cess, as they feared that he had run
away from home. He goes away from
the house and stays for hours, but al
ways at bedtime he comes In and goes
to his room. Mr. and Mrs. Holler
state that he IS welcome to stay as
long as The likes with them.
The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1922-01-04
THE SUCCESSFUL CONTESTANTS

Tho Advertisers subscription con
test came to whrl-wind close Sat
urday afternoon at l o'clock, when it
was found that Mrs. Il. Connor Fuller,
Of this city, had out-distanced her op-
pononts by a long lead, winning the
Ford sedan by handsome majority
Mrs. Hayne Taylor came second, win
ming the Victrola, and Mrs. John n.
tlludgens third, winning the kitchen
cabinet. Miss Henry ,Etta Owings, of
owings, won the fourth prize, a gold
wrist watch.
Tho contest was in many respects
The most successful that The Adver-
tiscr has ever had. The returns from
hhoth old and new subscriptions cx-
'ceeded the expectations Of the man
;1Sement and considerable increase
was made in the net paid circulation
of the paper.
pleasing feature OF the contest
Yas the friendly spirit that prevailed
among the contestants during the cn4
tire campaign and the graceful way in
which the losing candidates took their
'defeat. The contest manager, who
has been IN the same line Of work for
many years, said that his experience
with contestants here was among tie
pieasantcst OF his entire career. Ii
might also be OF interest to state,
1hat, insofar as can be learned, none
OF the candidates made any expendi-
dure for subscriptions, every dollar
collected representing an actual sale.
The winning candidate has stated that
hcr expense account for the contest,
including such things as postage and
stationery, was less than she received
in cash prizes.
The Judges for the contest we're
Messrs. H. Douglas Gray, Ralph T..
wilson and John switzer. Mr.. Law
renee Kennedy acted as secretary.
The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1922-01-04
CITY BONDS
SOLD MONDAY
Street Improvement and Sewerage
Bonds Sold to Cincinnati House at
G12

Street Improvement anda Sewerage
Bonds Sold to Cincinnati House at
$03 Id.
htrcct Improvement and sewerage
bonds amounting to $4,000 were sold
Monday by City Council to Weise G.
Roth, OF Cincinnati, at 9S1-4, through
their agent, A. II. Montcith, Of Colum-
bia. Only four bids were entered for
the bonds, all OF them approximating
the figure submitted by the successful
bidders.
In view of the fact that the bonds
bear rate of only 5 1-2 per cent in
terest, tho council considered that the
prlcc received was a very fair ono
and decided to accept it. Bond buy
ers attending the sale estimated that
the price paid represented approx
matcly a 'rar value at per cent.
The bonds were authorized at a
city election held several months ago.
when bonds for waterworks improve
ment were voted down. or tho total
amount sold, $4,000 is fch street i'm
provement and $4,000 for sewerage
work Some Of the work has already
been done in anticipation of the sale
of the bonds.
AT subsequent meeting of the
council held Monday night, plans
were inauguratcd to improve Laurens
and Church streets at once. These
streets will DO ploughcd up, new
grades established where necessary
and Augusta gravel used as surfac-
ing material.
The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1922-01-04
TEACHER COMMITTEES CALLED
Program and Social Committees Called
TO Meet Here Suturd0y Afternoon

Program and Social Committees Called
TO Meet Here Saturday Afternoon.
a meeting Of the program and So
etal and financial committees OF the
County Teachers association has been
called for Saturday afternoon at 3
o'clock. The committees are to take
under adyisement plans for the next
monthly meeting.
The program committee, as appoint
ed by the president, is composed of
tho following: Mrs. B. l.. Jones, Miss
Nancy Owens, Miss Mary Garrison,
Miss Minnie Wallace, Miss Ethel Bal
entine.
The social and financial committee
is as follows: Miss Kate Wofford, Miss
jamie Wylie, Miss Pearl West, Mr.. w.
p. Culbertson, Mr.. l.. S. Mcmillan.
The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1922-01-04
BASKET BALL SEASONS
OPENS FRIDAY
Laurens High School VS. GRAY Court
0WiOpc ot z R.H0 u ut

Laurens High School VS. GRAY Court
OWings ut $3.50 Z. Nj.
The girls and boys basket ball
teams Of the Laurens and Gray Court
owings high schools will open the sea-
son on the Laurens court on Friday
at $3.50 p. Nj. The local teams are
composed Of the following pupils:
Hlrls-Eva Taylor. Sidney Holmes,
Nora Langston, Laura Hudgens, Mary
Sue Bolt, Floridc Moore, Marion
blackwell, Mary Culbcrtson, Katherine
Hicks and others.
Boys-Carl Thompson, Lillius It'd
well, James Templcton, John r. Ellis.
Doran Bramlett, Maurice Glenn
Frank Glenn.
The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1922-01-04
J. HARRIS CURRY DIES SUDDENLY
We'll Known Citizen Of Laurcns Coun.
ty Succumbs to Brief Illness,

Owings. Jan. q. Harris Curry,
one Of tho oldest and most highly re-
spected citizens Of this section Of
Laurens county, died Saturday night,
following Il short illness. Mr.. Curry
lived within stones throw of Dials
church, and had been member of
this church for more than fifty years.
Born February 23, 1850, Mr.. Curry
would have been sevcnty-two years
old, had he lived to see the 23rd of
next month.
Surviving the deceased are his
widow, who was Mary J.. Cook, OF
the Durbin Creek section of the
county, and seven children: Mrs. w
II. Harris and Mrs. Haskell Gray, OF
Gray Court, Mrs. J. r. Gillespie and
Mrs. B. Fl. Davis, of Greenvillc, and
julius g., Arthur H., and Frank Cur
ry, all OF tho Gray Court section.
The funeral and intcrmcnt was
held at Dials church Sunday after
noon, and the esteem in which he was
held by his ncighbors and friends
was evidenced by the large crowd at
tending tho funeral services and also
by the flowers that covered the grave