Arthur C. Ridge, a farmer living about seven miles northwest of Wilmore, burned to death Tuesday, when his clothing caught fire from gasoline being poured into a tank of a tractor. The body was found about 11 o'clock lying near the machine by Marion Ridge, 14 year old son of the dead man.The body was found about 30 feet from the tractor, lying in the freshly plowed ground. All the clothing was burned off except a hat band and the shoes. Imprints in the soft ground indicated that the dead man had rolled quite a distance in an effort to extinguish the flames.
Mr. Ridge was plowing in the field with the tractor and had stopped to put gasoline in the tank. Evidence points out that his clothing caught fire from the gasoline ignited by the exhaust.
Marion who was working in the same field some distance away heard a cry and sensing danger hastened to the scene where he found the body of his father crumpled on the ground. The youth ran nearly a mile to tell neighbors who rushed to his assistance. The tractor was not running upon their arrival at the scene of the accident.
The body, which was beyond recognition, was carried to the J. I. Hunt home and later taken to the Roberts Undertaking Parlor in Coldwater. The funeral, which was largely attended by relatives and friends was conducted from the First Christian Church of Wilmore at six o'clock Wednesday evening. The pastor C. G. Large being in charge. Burial was made in the Wilmore cemetery.
Mr. Ridge was born December 3, 1873, near Decatur, Ill., the first of the eight children of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Ridge. In 1879 the family moved to Kansas, settling in Sedgwick county, where they lived almost a year, after which they moved to Kingman county, where the father and mother still reside.
In 1901 Mr. Ridge was united in marriage to Miss Clara Hayes of Kingman. To this union were born four children: Velma, Lauren, Marion and Martha.
In 1910 the family moved from Kingman county to Wilmore, and have lived here all that time. To all the community Mr. Ridge has been known and loved. He was a true husband, a loving father and a faithful christian.
Having united with the Church of Christ at Trenton Chapel in Kingman County when but a young man, he continued faithful unto death.
He leaves to mourn his loss, his wife, Clara; four children, Mrs. Fay Smith, Lauren, Marion and Martha Ridge of Wilmore; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Ridge of Kingman; five sisters; Mrs. Myrtle Grice, Mrs. Zena Whitelaw, Mrs. Maude Morgan, Miss Mamie Ridge of Basil and Miss Lillie Ridge of Arkansa City; and two brothers, Chas. Ridge of Basil, and Fern Ridge of Wisconsin and a host of friends.
The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the bereaved family in this time of sorrow.
Martha Lavenia (Ridge) Cline, daughter of A.C. Ridge.
Samuel Ridge, father of Arthur C. Ridge.
Clara Hayes, wife of Arthur C. Ridge.
Velma (Ridge) Smith, daughter of A.C. Ridge.
Marion Ridge, son of A.C. Ridge.
Lauren Ridge, son of A.C. Ridge.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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