2005-04 RHS Newsletter – April-May 2005

For Women's History Month, the Ridge Historical Society highlights the life of Cora deGraff Heineman, whose 1926 thesis on the early history of Beverly Hills remains a critical scholarly work. Born in 1874, Heineman moved to Chicago, became one of the early students at the University of Chicago, and later served on the Chicago School Board, earning accolades for improving school policies. A chance discovery of a memoir compiled from her writings by her grandson and niece provided deeper insight into her life and works, which the RHS continues to preserve and make available to researchers.

Page(s): 1, 3

This historical excerpt reprinted from the July 11, 1902 issue of the Ridge Record announces that the Woman's Christian Temperance Union formally transferred a new drinking fountain to the village authorities. Public school children were scheduled to meet at the Baptist church and march to the corner of Morgan and Western Avenues for the event. The brief notes that the handsome iron fountain was designed with accommodations for both "man and beast."

Page(s): 1

The Ridge Historical Society hosted a special Black History Month exhibit showcasing the churches, schools, families, and early residents of the Morgan Park neighborhood, drawing notable visitors like Illinois Senate President Emil Jones, Jr., who reminisced about his childhood. The exhibit prominently featured artifacts and interviews collected by former resident Billy Burns; these items were long thought lost until his first wife provided them for the display just before it opened. The event successfully brought the community together to share stories, prompting the society to expand the collection and continue holding weekly archive meetings for future exhibits.

Page(s): 2, 3

A brief notice originally printed in the July 11, 1902 edition of the Ridge Record recounts the tragic death of Clarence W. McNabb, son of Mr. S.W. McNabb of Longwood. Clarence, who worked as a fireman for the Rock Island road, was killed when a locomotive boiler-head exploded in Topeka, Kansas.

Page(s): 2

Reprinted from The Weekly Review on June 26, 1915, this short piece describes a bizarre lightning strike at a building located at 10044 Charles Street. The bolt struck the chimney, traveled to a water boiler in the basement, and then moved through the flats, breaking eight windows and causing significant plaster damage. Despite the extensive destruction, including debris falling onto a baby cart, no one was seriously injured, though one resident suffered a severe shock.

Page(s): 3

The Ridge Historical Society announces with great sadness the passing of Elmer Johnson on April 17th. Johnson served as the Editor of the RHS Newsletter for many years and was recognized as an exemplary volunteer within the community. The newsletter extends sincere condolences to his family and notes that plans for a memorial service are pending.

Page(s): 3

A "News Briefs" section details two upcoming hat-themed events in the community. The Beverly Arts Center will host a "HATS!" gallery exhibit from April 29 to May 21 featuring various mixed media, a video documentary screening, and an opening reception. Complementing this, the Ridge Historical Society will inaugurate its "CAN YOU TOP THIS?" exhibit on May 1 with a Hat Tea, showcasing vintage headwear from the Society's costume collection alongside pieces on loan from local collectors.

Page(s): 4

In anticipation of the BAPA Beverly Hills Cycling Classic on July 8th, the Ridge Historical Society is planning enhanced community involvement, taking advantage of its double-view location to host a lively race-day party. The celebration includes a bicycle theme for the Memorial Day parade and features a prominent display of the bicycle Carl Spencer rode from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This bicycle, which commemorates the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps, will be moved to the foyer as the centerpiece of the cycle-related events.

Page(s): 4

Reprinted from Town Talk on June 7, 1913, this excerpt criticizes village authorities for their incredibly lax building and plumbing ordinances. The author complains about "tumbledown shacks" along Vincennes Road constructed with basic brick piles around holes in the ground and lacking any sanitary arrangements, arguing that such lack of regulation is entirely inappropriate for an intelligent, civilized community.

Page(s): 4

This section acknowledges recent memorial gifts and annual fund donors to the Ridge Historical Society, prominently highlighting a generous donation from Marcella V. Meyer in honor of her late brother-in-law, Theodore (Ted) Meyer. The piece details Ted Meyer's notable legacy as a seven-term Republican congressman in the Illinois House, a member of the Illinois Pollution Control Board, and a longtime Beverly resident. Other memorial gifts in honor of Jean Barclay, Alice Durkin Stanton, and several others are also briefly listed alongside a directory of new members and annual fund donors.

Page(s): 5

Reprinted from the May 9, 1902 issue of the Ridge Record, this short historical piece highlights a shocking act of early 20th-century prejudice, which the newsletter editor titles "Ethnic 'Cleansing'". It describes how a "tribe of Russian gypsies" who had attempted to settle in the Purington neighborhood were forcibly driven out by Officers Ketcham and Airey. The officers used the high pressure of a water hose to expel the group, an action the original 1902 author casually noted as "thoroughly sucessful."

Page(s): 5

The back page provides a brief calendar of upcoming events and attractions for the Ridge Historical Society to ensure members don't miss out. Prominently featured are the "CAN YOU TOP THIS?" exhibit of historical and vintage headwear, starting with an Opening Exhibit Tea on May 1st, and the BAPA Beverly Hills Classic Bicycle Race viewing party on July 8th. The section acts as a quick reference guide, pointing readers back to Page 4 for further details on these activities.

Page(s): 6

Reprinted from the Ridge Record in July 1911, this short anecdote recounts an incident involving a local resident, Mr. J.W. Ketcham. After discovering a supposedly mad dog in his barn, Ketcham grabbed a gun and chased the animal northward through Washington Heights to Fernwood. Despite firing at the dog once or twice after it had reportedly bitten several other dogs, he missed, and the mad dog's ultimate fate remained a mystery.

Page(s): 6