The Ridgeway-Thurman Home was located in Blanchard, Missouri, near the Iowa line.

By Beverly Clinkingbeard

The builders and residents of the Ridgeway-Thurman Home were early-day settlers in the new railroad town of Blanchard, Iowa. The new town straddled the Iowa/Missouri state line. At the time it didn’t seem to make much difference that a town was on a state line. Though the Ridgeways & Thurman dwelt and did business and farming on the Missouri side, they often socialized on the Iowa side.

Samuel (1847-1906) and Laura Ridgeway (1851-1944) located the 20 room mansion on the corner of what was once Missouri Street (now Hughes Ave.) and First Street, colloquially called “Silk Stocking Street.” The Methodist Church records show them as early (1884) and active members. Samuel and Laura had three children: Emma (1882-1960), Frank (1886-1968), and Ruth (1893-1975). Ruth married Fay D. Hutchison (1891-1970) and they had a son, Ernest Ridgeway Hutchison (1917-2007),  always known as “Ridgy.” Frank married a Blanchard High School classmate, Nettie Asher (1887-1984), and they had a daughter, Betty. Emma married a Blanchard High School classmate, Guy Thurman (1874-1946), son of Barrett and Annie Thurman. The family lived two miles northeast of Blanchard at Woodbine’s Place. They were breeders of strong Shire horses, Scotch Topped Shorthorn cattle, and also pigs. They took their breeders to the Page County Fair and were often awarded ribbons. In 1910, it was noted that Guy Thurman received 1st money on a yearling mare and 2nd money on a 4 year and older mare. Woodbine Place ceased to be at auction in 1913.

Guy and Emma were married in South Blanchard (her parent’s home) by Rev. O.M. Lippencott. They began the new century by saying their vows January 1, 1901. Guy and Emma had an infant that died, but otherwise enjoyed indulging their nephew, Ridgy, and niece, Betty.

In addition to owning farmland in the surrounding area of Blanchard (Atchison & Nodaway Counties), Samuel founded the Ridgeway Lumber Co., later known as Ridgeway & Thurman Lumber Co. They also had a vacation home in Minnesota and went north for part of Iowa/Missouri’s hot summer. Samuel died and Laura was bedfast for 12 years. Emma had nursing care for her mother and the nurse (usually a capable young lady) would sleep in the same room. It was 24-hour care.

Throughout the Blanchard area, older homes have drawers and other furnishing pieces with the indelible stamp “Ridgeway & Thurman Lumber Co.” Frank handled the lumber yard and Guy sold coal and gravel. He traveled frequently and usually did so in a Packard automobile. Samuel was crippled with arthritis (hence the need of an elevator in the home) and turned the operation over to Frank and Guy. There were six fireplaces and three bathrooms in the big house and on a cold day, if Guy was home, he’d have a fire going in all the fireplaces.

Guy and Emma were very social. The Coin, Iowa, and Blanchard news reported the couple hosted card club, the women’s group from church, W.C.T.U., and they often opened their home for the church youth groups. Emma was known as a lovely hostess.

Miss Elva Bean was the Blanchard correspondent for the Herald Journal, Clarinda, Iowa. She weekly documented the Thurman’s social life as did the Atchison County Mail when Mr. Thurman was in Rock Port on business. Miss Bean sometimes included Mr. Thurman’s struggle with roads of the day, such as when his car was stuck on a muddy gravel road. He caught the train to Blanchard to get home and returned for his car later. There was also this incident that made the news. “Last Thursday afternoon, Guy Thurman was returning home on the Golden Rod (now J-64). Near College Springs, Iowa, the sun blinded him, and driving over a hill on the wrong side of the road, his car collided with a car driven by Tom Edwards. Both cars were badly damaged. Mr. Thurman was struck in the chest by the steering wheel and was bleeding, so Frank Ridgeway drove him to Maryville. No bones were broken, but he remained in the hospital until Monday for medical care. Mr. Edwards got another car at home, and went to St. Joseph on business. In St. Joseph, he was hit on the side of his car by another auto, so thinks the thirteenth an unlucky day.”

Regarding the home, Emma was meticulous. In addition to the nurse she also kept a “hired girl.” The hired girl cleaned the home, and as Guy was a gardener, there were vegetables to preserve and jellies to be made. The cooking was usually the responsibility of the hired girl, beneath the direction of Emma, although Emma enjoyed baking and generally had cookies or cake on hand in the event of a visitor. This would include her favored nephew, Ridgy, and a former hired girl said, her boyfriend, when he called. For daily meals they all dined together at the big table in the kitchen. Sunday dinner was served in the dining room with fine china. After the kitchen work was done the hired girl had Sunday afternoon off. Though the house help used the back stairs, the help did not wear uniforms, but furnished their own clothing. In later years, the laundry was sent out as there were several women in town who washed and ironed for others. One remembered as a child how intimidated she felt returning the laundry in her little wagon. Each piece was quietly reviewed, and if something wasn’t to her expectation, she returned it for a re-wash and ironing. Another hired girl liked working in the big home, but her friend, whom she recommended, needed a job. Her friend didn’t know how to work and resented the white glove inspections, the constant dust and re-dust, plus using the back stair case. The hired girl didn’t mind using the back stairs as it was at the kitchen and she could zip up and down to the bedrooms. Though the attic was furnished for a helper’s use, the hired girls roomed in an upstairs bedroom, except for the nurse who stayed with Mrs. Ridgeway. In 1940, the pay was $8 or $8.50 per week for hired girl help and those that did the nursing care received double those wages.

There was occasionally turn-over of household workers because of Cupid. One house helper met her future husband while returning from an errand to Bean’s Store. He was riding a bicycle and asked if she needed a ride? Though it was only a short block, he was cute, and of course, she did. The military draft soon took him away, but a few months later after a courtship by mail, she received a small package. Contents, $75 for a train ticket and a diamond ring. Mrs. Thurman tried to persuade her to re-think going to the west coast to marry. “I should have listened.  She was right on several counts and I was a young and foolish girl at the time.” Another hired girl remembered Mrs. Thurman allowed her the use of her sewing machine. The only requirement was to not leave a mess, so she would quickly gather her sewing and scraps to keep in her room.

Following Mr. Thurman’s unexpected death in 1960, the funeral was held in the home, the big pocket doors slid open to accommodate the many people that came. Emma’s social life changed, though she remained active in the Methodist Church.  Ridgy lived with her. He was remembered for driving a newer model and flashy automobile. She ceased to travel to Minnesota in the summers and often sat on the front porch, her hair in a braided coronet style as it had been since she was a young woman.

The lumber yard was sold and the town changed. The Great Depression, WWII, changes in farming methods, and death had all taken a toll on the town and the residents of Silk Stocking Street. Neither the niece or nephew had interest in the big house and what it would take to bring it into the modern age. Items were sold at auction and other items destroyed. Today, sadly, the house stands true and straight, obscured in trees, stripped of its value – the end of an era.

’Til next time.